Tyler Perry’s extras casting team announced on Facebook several background actors were upgraded to principal speaking roles.
On Friday, Southern Casting Associates, the extras casting company working for Tyler Perry Studios, broke the news on Facebook.
“Congratulations to the two that got bumped to principal today as well- you know who you are,” Southern Casting Associates said on Facebook.
Southern Casting Associates did not reveal the name of the production. However, earlier this month it was announced Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network picked up a new TV series created by Tyler Perry. The new show, Paynes, which is a spinoff of the TBS series House of Payne, is written, directed and produced by Mr. Perry. Paynes will feature LaVan Davis and Cassi Davis reprising their original roles in the new TV show.
It’s important to note that Tyler Perry has a history of upgrading background actors to speaking roles. Last year, while filming his new TV series Too Close to Home, a background actor was bumped to a principal role. Southern Casting Associates broke the news on Facebook saying, “Congratulations to Hunter Watson on being bumped to a PRINCIPAL ROLE!! He is signing his contract as we speak! This goes to show you that it can happen to you at ANY MOMENT when you are working with us at Tyler Perry Studio!”
Last October, Tyler Perry’s latest feature film Madea’s Halloween beat some of Hollywood’s biggest actors. Madea’s Halloween topped Tom Hanks’ Inferno and Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. In fact, Box Office Mojo reports his latest feature filmed earned over $74 million at the box office on a budget of only $20 million. Following the success of Madea’s Halloween, Lionsgate announced several new Tyler Perry movies are on the way.