Originally posted Tuesday, November 13, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
OWN has started production in Atlanta of new family drama "Ambitions" starring Robin Givens, Essence Atkins and Brian White, among others.
This is the sixth scripted series OWN has shot here following four Tyler Perry shows ("The Haves and the Have Nots," "If Love You Is Wrong," "Love Thy Neighbor," "For Better or Worse") and "Greenleaf."
The network also shoots reality show “Iyanla: Fix My Life” in Atlanta.
Atlanta producer Will Packer ("Ride Along," "Think Like a Man," "Girls Trip") is making an aggressive foray into television. He also has an OWN reality dating show called "Ready to Love."
Packer had previously been an executive producer for two BET scripted series set and shot in Atlanta “The Quad” and “Being Mary Jane.”
Givens has most recently been on the CW's hit show "Riverdale." Atkins has been co-starring on NBC's "Marlon" with Marlon Wayans. White was most recently on Showtime's 'Ray Donovan."
The family drama is set to air on OWN in 2019.
OWN describes the Atlanta-based show as “a multi-generational family saga centered around one woman who, having recently relocated and intent on revitalizing her marriage, finds herself going head to head with some of the most powerful and deceitful players in the city.”
Givens will play Stephanie Carlisle, the wife of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster (White), whose true loyalty is to her own family's prestigious law firm, where she is the latest in a long line of distinguished lawyers. Stephanie desperately wants to be in charge of the Carlisle family law firm and quietly fumes about her father Stephen's condescending assertion that she's simply not ready yet.
Atkins plays the role of Amara, a lawyer in U.S. Attorney's Office who has newly arrived in Atlanta with her husband, Titus (Kendrick Cross). Originally from Texas, she is quickly gaining attention from the U.S. Attorney's Office as a diligent prosecutor but disappoints her supervisor by turning down the offer to run point on a major local case.
White, as the mayor, will to do anything to get to the next level in his career.
What sets this show apart for many others shot here is Packer's insistence that the writers be based in Atlanta. The writing staff includes Jamey Giddens ("The Rich and The Ruthless"), Susan Dansby ("As The World Turns," "The Young and The Restless"), Michele Val Jean ("General Hospital," "The Bold and the Beautiful"), Trey Anthony ("da Kink in my Hair," "How Black Mothers Say I Love You") and Jazmen Darnell Brown ("The Citizen," "Saints & Sinners").
