Universal’s The Best Man, directed and written by Malcolm D. Lee, premiered in theaters over twenty years ago, but the loyalty and attachment to the film series have only strengthened throughout the years. Fans of the celebrated franchise get to join the ensemble cast for one final reunion in Peacock’s The Best Man: The Final Chapters with all eight episodes available for streaming on December 22nd. The limited series’ official trailer provides a closer look into the closing chapter of the franchise.
Watch the trailer below.
The upcoming series drops viewers right back into the lives of Harper, Jordan, Shelby, Lance, Quentin, Robyn, Candace, and Murch, taking place after Harper gets the opportunity to turn his debut book Unfinished Business into a movie. Outside apparent nostalgia and classic interactions between the reunited friends, the trailer offers glimpses into the evolution of the group in the years since The Best Man Holiday, the 2013 prequel. The gang deals with the resurgence of past grievances, the unpredictable stages of midlife crises, and personal breakthroughs.
The original cast is set to return for the series with Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Harold Perrineau, and Melissa De Sousa reprising their roles in the franchise. The only cast member not returning is Monica Calhoun as Mia.
Malcolm D. Lee Express Heartwarming Sentiments On The Closing of The Best Man Franchise
The eponymous film series has received high praise from critics as well as numerous accolades and awards for both The Best Man (1999) and The Best Man Holiday (2013). In 2000, its creator Malcolm D. Lee won two Black Reel Awards (Best Director and Best Screenplay) and an NAACP Award for Outstanding Motion Picture. He has been at the helm of The Best Man franchise since its inception, and this final series marks a culmination point in Lee’s long-standing career.
In a statement about the series by The Hollywood Reporter, Lee states:
It is now more than ever that the world is craving to see what I’ve worked my entire career to show: relatable, universal stories about Black people and their humanity. It has always been my mission to make African-American stories mainstream.
Lee returns to the franchise as the series’ co-showrunner, co-writer, and co-executive producer accompanied by Dayna Lynne North (Insecure, Veronica Mars, Switched At Birth, Single Ladies) who shares the same roles. Additional cast members for the series include Michael Genet, Yvonna Pearson, Aaron Serotsky, Terrence Terrell, Tobias Truvillion, and Eric Scott Ways.