The New Edition Story

The New Edition Story
Genre	Biographical drama
Based on	New Edition
Written by	Abdul Williams
Directed by	Chris Robinson
Starring	Woody McClain Algee Smith Bryshere Gray Elijah Kelley Keith T. Powers Luke James Tyler Marcel Williams Jahi Di'Allo Winston Dante Hoagland Caleb McLaughlin Myles Truitt
Narrated by	Wood Harris
Theme music composer	Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds Antonio Reid James Harris Terry Lewis
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Producers	Ricky Bell Michael L. Bivins Bobby Brown Ronnie DeVoe Johnny Gill Ralph Tresvant Jesse Collins Stephen Hill Debra Lee Brooke Payne Valerie Bleth Sharp Chris Robinson
Running time	360 mins.
Production company	Jesse Collins Entertainment
Original release
Network	BET
Release	January 24 – January 26, 2017

The New Edition Story is an American biographical three-part miniseries about the R&B group New Edition, from their rise to fame as a boy band from the Orchard Park Projects of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to becoming a successful adult act. It was originally broadcast on BET from January 24 through January 26, 2017, becoming the network's first scripted miniseries. All six members of New Edition served as co-producers.

The series was shown on BET.

Cast

Main cast

2

Others

2

Plot

Part One

Opening Sequence - Home Again Tour - New Mexico 1997

Narration by Brook Payne (Wood Harris), the group's first manager, sets the stage: all six members of New Edition are back on tour in 1997, almost twenty years after the group's formation, separations, and solo projects. The divisions are still present as, in addition to performing the group's hits, the three solo acts - Ralph Tresvant, Johnny Gill, and Bobby Brown - and the trio Bell Biv DeVoe (or BBD, made up by Ricky Bell (singer), Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe) also have their own scheduled sets.

Tensions reach a boiling point at the New Mexico concert. As Brown - whose selfishness and erratic behavior resulted in his being kicked out of the group a decade prior - starts yet another song well after his scheduled time is up, DeVoe goes on stage, thanking Brown for his performance and directing the DJ to begin playing the BBD set. After briefly walking off stage, an enraged Brown returns and gets into a confrontation with DeVoe, as the musical performance is replaced by a wild brawl among the various New Edition members and their entourages, punctuated by a gunshot.

Payne's narration states that ego, pride and greed resulted in this blow up of what had once been a successful group and decides to rewind the scene nearly twenty years, back to the group's founding in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

The rise of New Edition - Roxbury, MA - 1978-1983

It's a normal day for the people of Orchard Park Housing Projects (also called "O.P."), in Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1978.

Despite his mother refusing to grant her permission, a young Ricky Bell (played as a youth by Caleb McLaughlin) sneaks out at night to meet his friend, Michael "Mike" Bivins (played as a youth by Dante Hoagland) to go to a local talent show, where their mutual friend, Bobby Brown (played as a youth by Tyler Marcel Williams) is scheduled to perform. Ricky and Mike are impressed by the sound of a vocal group called "The Untouchables", while Bobby's performance is a disappointment as he gets stage fright within the first few seconds of his song.

The next day, Bobby asks Ricky and Mike to join him on stage the next time he performs, thinking that will help him with his stage fright. Initially unsure, the pair agree as long as another kid from the neighborhood, Ralph Tresvant (played as a youth by Jahi D'Allo Winston), can join, assuming he can be pulled away from a girl he has unsuccessfully been trying to impress.

The quartet try to practice at Ricky's house but squabble a fair amount. Recognizing they need some guidance, Ricky's sister, Peanut (Bre-Z), suggests they meet with Brooke Payne (Wood Harris), a manager for several of Boston's rising musical acts. The boys sneak into the back alley of a club to convince Brooke to manage them, finally winning him over with an a capella version of The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back".

The next morning, the boys arrive on time to meet Payne, but Payne doesn't sugarcoat them, warning them they will be doing some hard work on their path to becoming musical artists. Payne comes up with the group's name of New Edition as if they were a new version or new edition of the Jacksons. Weeks of strenuous training features time spent on choreography, physical and mental discipline and, naturally, singing, in order to prepare for a big talent showcase at the Strand Theater, where the winning act will receive a recording contract from Maurice Starr (Faizon Love) under his independent record label.

In a format reminiscent of the Amateur Night of the Apollo Theater, New Edition dazzles the crowd but the judges grant 1st prize to a hip-hop duo, "The Boston Rebels." The crowd booed the decision, chanting for New Edition so loudly that Maurice gives New Edition a studio recording session and a record deal as well. To strengthen the Jackson 5 connection, Maurice encourages making the group a quintet, with Brooke suggesting his nephew Ronnie DeVoe (played as a youth by Myles Truitt) as the fifth member; Ronnie's audition is good enough for the group to accept him, completing the initial five member formation of New Edition.

Squabbling returns at the recording session, with Ricky and Bobby fighting over would get a pair of headphones while Ralph was patiently waiting his turn; Maurice decides to let Ralph sing first, and the performance is so impressive that Ralph is given the lead vocals for "Candy Girl," which would become New Edition's first hit. Prior to finalizing the group's, Maurice offers Ralph a solo deal instead, but Ralph declines, preferring to remain part of New Edition. With their mothers' oversight, the members of New Edition sign their record contract, receiving upfront payments of $500 each and a Betamax machine. With "Candy Girl" a nationwide hit, New Edition now are rising young stars and begin taking photo shoots for the cover of their debut album, also named Candy Girl while also getting ready for a nationwide tour.

First Album and Candy Girl Tour - 1983

With "Candy Girl" #1 on the Billboard charts (topping Michael Jackson), New Edition begins making TV appearances and concert halls, including headlining a show at the Roseland Theater in Oregon with Madonna and Kurtis Blow. When the group has been on tour (with international dates added) for several weeks, the mothers of Ricky and Bobby, who are struggling financially and on food stamps, seem concerned that they have not yet received any checks their sons should have earned from the shows; they decide to confront Brooke Payne, who says he is not in control of the group's finances despite being its manager. After grumbling about firing Brooke in order to get a manager who could improve the financial situation, they agree to give him a little more time to see if things improve.

Transition of Power / Boys Gone Wild - 1983 to 1984

The tour finally ends, with the teenagers leaving the high life and returning back home to the poverty of Roxbury, at least until their tour checks arrive. However, when the checks finally show up, each member received $1.87 for the entire tour. Brooke, who had never had a major deal with a music industry label before New Edition and may have made some mistakes due to that inexperience, tries to explain the intricacies of the deal: the label advanced the group money that it needed to record the album and to promote the tour, with the label recouping that advance from the money the boys would have earned from the various tour dates. An emotional Brooke, who didn't even get $1.87 for all of his work on the tour, insists that he cares about the boys and wouldn't have intentionally made a deal that was bad for the boys. Four of the mothers vote to fire Brooke as manager; the lone holdout was Flo DeVoe (La La Anthony, Brooke's sister, who threatened to pull Ronnie out of the group until Brooke reminded her the group was their best chance at getting out of the projects.

The mothers replace Brooke as manager with Gary Evans (Michael Rapaport), who promises to replace their current deal with Maurice Starr with a better one due to his relationship with MCA Records. Jheryl Busby (Tank), an executive at MCA, privately expresses to Gary a lack of interest with New Edition, whom he views as "some ghetto kids."

Having tasted fame and experiencing typical teenage rebelliousness, the young men of New Edition are less easy to control, with Gary's security guards, Jeff Dyson (Wallace Smith) and Khalil, unexpectedly walking in on some of the members having sex with female groupies. There is tension within the group as well, as Ralph's talent and professionalism results in him taking the lead vocals on most of the songs for the new album; feeling slighted, the rest of the group focuses more on women and having fun, often without Ralph, whom they mockingly refer to as "the big star." This in turn makes Ralph feel betrayed by his friends and frustrated that he is carrying so much of the group's work.

Part Two

Roller coaster of troubles - 1984-1985

In an effort to patch things up, Ralph asks Gary if the others could have lead vocals in more songs; Gary agrees, starting with Bobby having lead vocals on "Mr. Telephone Man" when New Edition was working with songwriter and producer Ray Parker Jr.. During the recording, Bobby, perhaps letting his prominence go to his head, starts making fun of Mike for being unable to correctly hold a note. Mike takes this and teasing by the other members personally and decides to take a cab rather than get in the group's limo, slamming the door shut rather than getting in the limo; the driver, hearing the slam, assumes that Mike is in the car and backs up, running over Mike's foot. When Bobby antagonizes Mike yet again, Mike spits in his face, triggering a fight that the rest of the group has to break up. Gary tells the group that their moms think Mike should be kicked out of the group, but the other guys, including Bobby, stick up for Mike; when Mike returns, Bobby goes up to him first and apologizes, allowing the group to move forward. While internally repaired, New Edition is clashing with their new choreographer; a frustrated Gary decides to bring in someone who can help keep the group focused: Brooke, back only as the choreographer, not the manager.

Echoing MCA executive Jheryl's concerns (who, while satisfied financially, is still concerned about the "ghetto boys'" public persona), Gary presses New Edition to maintain a clean image and be (or at least appear to be) single, the latter of which is particularly important to their young, female fanbase. While rehearsing for the "Cool It Now" tour, Bobby gets arrested for speeding and driving without a license. When Gary comes to the station to bail him out, Bobby reveals that his girlfriend, who was in the car with him, is pregnant; Ralph's girlfriend back home also is pregnant, but he hasn't told anyone yet (she would later have a miscarriage, partially because Ralph wasn't there to support her during the pregnancy). While smoking weed backstage on tour, the group runs into Johnny Gill (Luke James), another young artist within the MCA family. At another stop on New Edition's tour, no one can locate Bobby, until Gary finds him doing cocaine with and receiving fellatio from female groupies. When discussing the situation with his fellow New Edition members, Bobby insists that he has his personal life under control.

Out with the old, In with the new - 1985-1988

After the tour, the mothers meet with Gary, frustrated yet again at their sons receiving less money than expected; Gary brings up the group's various expenses and drug/alcohol habits as contributing to the smaller checks, despite New Edition's self-titled second album with MCA being certified platinum.

Bobby's ego continues to inflate (viewing the act as "Bobby Brown with New Edition" rather than "New Edition"), with his personal and professional life causing problems for New Edition, coming to a head at a show in Oakland, California. While enjoying the spotlight after singing lead vocals for "Mr. Telephone Man", Bobby became aggravated when the group too quickly (in his mind, at least; the rest of the group felt Bobby was hogging the spotlight) transitioned into "Cool It Now" and stormed off the set after telling the crowd he wouldn't perform with New Edition any more. Fed up, Gary pushes the four other members to vote to kick Bobby out of the group. While initially resistant to kicking out a friend, thinking about Bobby's arrests and drug use and selfishness eventually results in the four unanimously voting Bobby out.

While driving with Jeff, one of the group's security guards that Gary had hired, Mike speculates on what (if any) future the group has without Bobby, with Jeff suggesting that Mike consider getting in the business side of the industry, given how few broke executives there are compared to broke musicians, as well as giving him more control. Mike glances at the All For Love record the full group had recorded the year prior and notices "Fast Break Productions" on the record rather than MCA Records. Mike storms into Jheryl's office, interrupting a meeting to demand an explanation; the MCA executive explains to Mike that, rather than being signed to MCA Records, they were signed to Fast Break Productions, which was Gary's company, which in turn had a relationship with MCA Records. In other words, rather than just being a manager who could use his connections to get the group a deal with MCA (as Gary had indicated to the mothers and the members of the group), Gary had drafted a contract that gave him ownership and control of New Edition, which ensured that he got his money before the group did, as well as allowing him to do things like negotiating a shoe deal without consulting the members of the group. Still stunned that their contract with Gary wasn't much better than their $1.87 contract with Maurice Starr several years ago, Mike can't really respond when Jheryl rhetorically asks him if he even read Gary's contract before signing it as opposed to just relying on Gary's explanation and ends the meeting with a "welcome to the music business." This gives Mike the opportunity to see what it is like to be a music executive as - with the group's approval - meets with an attorney to fire Gary as manager and to work to get out of their contract in order to sign directly with MCA.

Back home with his mom, Bobby is doing cocaine while watching the remaining members of New Edition perform "Count Me Out"; his mom enters his room to tell him that he has a visitor: Jheryl, who feels Bobby has too much talent to waste his life to drugs and offers him a solo deal with MCA, where he eventually records his debut solo album. Having moved in together, Ralph's girlfriend encourages Ralph to similarly go solo; Ralph insists he is happy with the group, but does start to record some solo tracks without telling the rest of the group beforehand. When Ralph plays some of the solo songs for Ricky, Mike, and Ronnie, they feel betrayed and are not very supportive even when Ralph says he would still be part of the group and just do the solo stuff as a side project, which results in Ralph feeling isolated and frustrated. When Ronnie expresses concern about how he'd take care of his family without New Edition, Mike starts working on a plan so that they aren't dependent on Ralph. Meanwhile, Ralph, looking forward to solo money rather than splitting with other members of New Edition, shares his feelings with Jheryl, who stresses the importance of timing and positioning, which is why Ralph's solo album will come out after New Edition records another album, this one with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who had just produced Janet Jackson's smash album, Control.

The group arrives in Minneapolis to begin recording Heart Break with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Ralph - who is known for always being on time and ready to go - travels separately and arrives late. After a chilly greeting with Ricky, Mike, and Ronnie, Ralph is baffled to see a fifth member of New Edition: Johnny Gill, who Mike and Jheryl thought would be a good fit for the group. Angered that he wasn't even consulted about the decision and mad to be splitting money five ways again, Ralph storms off; Johnny, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis are also rattled, as they assumed Ralph knew about Johnny.

Still sulking, Ralph can't help but be impressed by Johnny's voice (if not his cowboy boot fashion sense). After a recording session, the two have a private conversation (because the other three guys didn't bother to hang around for the session), with Ralph apologizing for his initial conduct, admitting it was more about his relationship with the other guys than anything Johnny had done. Ralph and Johnny realize they have several things in common, including professionalism and being fed the same story by Jheryl about delaying a solo project until after recording a New Edition album. Now that Ralph and Johnny were cool, Ralph jokingly asked if wannabe executive Mike sold Johnny on being the next Bobby; Johnny honestly replied that Mike described it as being the next Ralph. Slightly jarred by the thought of being replaced, Ralph regains his normal focus and dedication, with the entire group contributing to a great performance of "Can You Stand The Rain" and work well together recording the rest of the album. While preparing for Heart Break's album cover photo shoot, the men discuss how they've grown personally and professionally in their years in the recording business; when the photographer encourages them to smile, the group insists they know what works best for them and opts for a more serious facial expression.

While working on a music video for If It Isn't Love (with Brooke Payne once again providing choreography) and preparing for another tour, MCA's A&R/business partner Louis Silas Jr. (Duane Martin) drops the bombshell that Bobby will be touring with them.

Part Three

A Fork in the Road - 1988-1990

New Edition continues their preparations for the upcoming tour by releasing their new single "If It Isn't Love". Meanwhile, at the Paramount Pictures studio, Bobby Brown (who has skyrocketed to super-stardom with his second album Don't Be Cruel) prepares for his "Every Little Step" music video. Brown's barber (DC Young Fly) is distracted by the girls that will appear in the video and accidentally cuts off a chunk of Bobby's hair, leaving a slant in Bobby's hair that Bobby irately compares to "Gumby"; without time to fix it Bobby is forced to debut what would become his signature look in the video.

Bobby and New Edition are generally able to work well together on the tour - also featuring Al B. Sure! (Josh David) - though Bobby bristles a bit when "his" vocals on Jealous Girl and Mr. Telephone Man will be sung by Johnny even after Bobby offered to sing them himself. After a Washington, D.C. performance, Mike agrees to listen to a group of young men sing one of New Edition's songs for him outside the tour bus; impressed, Mike gives them a business card and encourages the group that will become Boyz II Men to call him.

In 1989, a party to celebrate the success of the tour, reveals how the group split up again. Jheryl is leaving his job at MCA Records to take a major role at Motown and convinces Johnny to come with him and record his self-titled third album - the one Jheryl promised he would support if Johnny recorded Heart Break with New Edition - at Motown. Ralph's similarly promised solo album will be released by MCA but must be re-recorded because Ralph and the executives felt that it would sound too much like Bobby's Don't Be Cruel album; Ralph is annoyed because his album was ready to be released before Heart Break but was delayed in favor of the New Edition album. As for Ricky, Mike, and Ronnie, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis suggest the trio start their own group, which would become Bel Biv DeVoe, based on their last names. Finally, the arrogant Bobby, who made a scene by sticking his hands into both of the party's cakes, is angry despite drinking and being surrounded by attractive women, almost jealously looking out at his former group members.

In March 1990, all six members of New Edition reunite by making an appearance for Video Soul with Sherry Carter. There is clearly awkwardness and tension during the interview, with barbed comments flying all around, particularly between Ralph and Mike (still not over inviting Johnny to the group without consulting Ralph), as well as Bobby and everyone else. The show also airs each of the separate acts' music videos: BBD's "Poison", Ralph Tresvant's "Sensitivity", and Johnny Gill's "My, My, My". When the host asked the most anticipated question, "Would the group ever reunite for a new album?", Ralph suggested there was a possibility to record a reunion album in the coming future.

Are we "Home Again" or not? - 1996-1997

The reunion album is made six years later, in 1996, after the various independent acts somewhat fizzled, leaving several in debt or at least precarious financial position, especially Ricky. Several of the group members, now approaching their 30s, are also dealing with personal issues: Ralph is struggling with the passing of his mother, while Bobby is no longer the only member with drug and alcohol issues, as Ricky is secretly using cocaine, popping pills, and drinking heavily, hiding his problems from his wife as well as the rest of New Edition.

As the group prepares for a tour of Home Again, Brooke is amazed at their expenses - separate tour buses, large entourages, lots of luggage - despite their limited success as independent acts, as well as being less professional than when they were kids. While the group will perform New Edition songs, they will also perform the songs of their various respective acts. This tour does not go well, with Bobby's penchant for missing interviews and even performances annoying the rest of the group and affecting scheduled performance times; at one stop, Bobby arrived after the rest of the group had finished performing but decided to close the show solo because he felt like singing and because the crowd was chanting for him.

The tour arrives in Atlanta, where the miniseries began, though with some additional details on what would lead to the massive brawl. Bobby - on time for a change - decided to sing an extra song, at least partially because Bil Bev DeVoe couldn't go on as Ronnie was late, as well as Bobby thinking he was the real star of the tour; thus, when Ronnie charged onto the stage to cut off Bobby, Bobby was partially angry because he thought he was covering for Ronnie by doing an extra song. Storming backstage, Bobby tries to blast Bil Bev DeVoe with water from a fire hose but can't get the emergency device to work, so he and his bodyguard march onstage instead, which brings in the various entourages for a chaotic scene, finally culminating with a gun shot that scatters everyone.

In the chaos, Brooke stumbles away and has a heart attack before being found by one of the members of Bil Bev Devoe. An ambulance arrives to take him to the hospital but won't allow Ronnie - Brooke's nephew - in with him, so Ricky and Mike try to keep Ronnie calm while waiting for a car. Ralph and Johnny get filled in, but Ronnie nearly loses it when Bobby appears to ask what's going on, blaming Bobby for starting the fracas that led to his uncle having a heart attack; Bobby countered that he would never hurt Brooke and storms off, for good this time, saying he's done with the tour. Ralph and Johnny similarly depart, and Ronnie leaves to check on Brooke. A panicked Ricky asks Mike what they are going to do with so many shows left, and Mike essentially says the tour and the group are done.

Souls falling apart / Finding myself - 1998-2004

In the years after the tour, the New Edition members largely stay out of contact and have their lives go in different directions.

Johnny is largely OK, forming a new group called LSG but not seeming interested in talking to an interviewer about New Edition. Mike finally becomes the music executive himself, finding himself on the other side of the table when dealing with artists and often using the same words ("did you even read your contract?") that people like Gary and Jheryl had said to Mike when New Edition was just starting. Ralph's short marriage to his longtime girlfriend ends in divorce, with Ralph eventually deciding not to fight too much. Ronnie enrolls in some real estate classes but it somewhat embarrassed when a fan recognizes him, feeling like he is at a rock bottom. The New Edition member really at rock bottom is Ricky, whose drug and alcohol use gets worse when he faces bankruptcy, aggravated by lawsuits from the tour's abrupt end. Ricky's wife suggests asking the members of New Edition for help but he refuses, instead asking her if she knows someone with a truck to help them move out of their foreclosed house; Ricky eventually has an overdose, but his wife finds him in time for help to arrive and save him. At rehab, Ricky admits that what he was chasing was the feeling of fame that he had years prior as well as trying to fight the fear that that feeling wouldn't come back. Bobby's life at this time, including his relationship with Whitney Houston, is not shown in the miniseries.

In 2004, Ronnie's wedding planning isn't going well, with his latest concern being wasting money for inedible flowers on the wedding cake. His fiancee gets him to admit that his real issue is not having reunited New Edition, either as a musical group or to be his groomsmen for his rapidly approaching wedding. Concerned that their egos and behavior will prevent any of them from showing up, Ronnie is convinced to at least invite the other five members to his wedding so that he won't have regrets.

I am my Brother's Keeper / BET 25th Celebration - 2005

The day of the wedding, Ronnie is in his prep room, on his own, accepting that he's going to be at the altar without any groosmen. He hears a knock on the door and "Police!", only for it to be Bobby in a dazzling white tuxedo; Bobby thanks Ronnie for the invitation to be a groomsman but declines an offer for a drink, saying he has cooled on drugs and alcohol. The rest of New Edition arrives, including a sober Ricky, with Ralph and Mike at least able to be civil to each other. The final arrival is Brooke, back to normal after his heart attack at the disastrous tour and ready to see his nephew Ronnie get married.

At the reception, Ralph and Mike have a longer conversation, with Mike apologizing for starting the group's break up by bringing in Johnny to replace Ralph; Ralph counters that the group faced bigger problems than that, problems that the members were only ready to deal with now that they were older. Rather than just a temporary truce, Ralph and Mike seem to have rekindled their friendship, ready to move forward without dwelling on negative events from the past.

Brooke toasts Ronnie and his new wife, and includes New Edition in his toast by reminiscing about raising Ronnie and the other members of the group, encouraging them to be thankful for their success as a musical group and as men. New Edition reunites to serenade Ronnie's wife with their first hit song "Candy Girl". A BET producer approaches Brooke with the idea of having a New Edition reunion at the channel's 25th anniversary special; Brooke advises him to move quickly, as he doens't know the next time the group will be together like this. The producer does move quickly enough, as the group agrees to reunite for the BET special.

At the special, New Edition to perform a medley of hit singles: "If It Isn't Love", "Can You Stand the Rain", "Candy Girl", and "Cool It Now" before introducing Bobby Brown to perform "Mr. Telephone Man" with them. After Bobby gives a solo performance of his solo classic hit single "My Prerogative", Bobby then invites the group along to perform a medley with him, with highlights of the miniseries airing as the group sings. They all take a bow and give props and credit to BET for giving their long standing partnership as a final sendoff.

Development

Production

In August 2015, it was announced that BET commissioned the television film that would air as a three night miniseries. Five of the group's members--Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant, had signed on as co-producers, while Bobby Brown did not. In addition, the band's longtime manager Brooke Payne had also been tapped as a co-producer and the film was to be written by Abdul Williams who wrote the 2010 film Lottery Ticket. Jesse Collins of the network's Real Husbands of Hollywood would serve as executive producer. Collins later reported that production would air in 2017. In April 2016, it was confirmed that Brown had also signed on as co-producer. It was also announced that ATL director Chris Robinson would direct the film. In November 2016, it was announced that iconic producers Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis had been recruited to oversee the music production.

Casting

Casting for the series began in Boston in January 2016. In April 2016, the network announced that Empire star Bryshere Y. Gray would portray Michael Bivins. The rest of cast included actor and singer Elijah Kelley as Ricky, R&B singer Luke James as Johnny, Algee Smith as Ralph, Keith Powers as Ronnie, and Woody McClain as Bobby Brown. In addition, Dante Hoagland, Caleb McLaughlin, Myles Truitt, Jahi Winston, and Tyler Marcel Williams would portray younger versions of Michael, Ricky, Ronnie, Ralph and Bobby respectively. In May 2016, La La Anthony, Yvette Nicole Brown, Monica Calhoun, Lisa Nicole Carson and Sandi McCree would join the cast as the mothers of the group members: Flo DeVoe, Shirley Bivins, Patricia Tresvant, Mae Bell and Carole Brown. Several others joined the cast later that month including Wood Harris as Brooke Payne, Michael Rapaport as Gary Evans, Wallace Smith as Jeff Dyson, Faizon Love as Maurice Starr, Duane Martin as Louil Silas, singer Tank as Jheryl Busby and actress/rapper Bre-Z as Peanut Bell.

Promotion

The first trailer for the film was unveiled on June 26, 2016, at the 26th annual BET Awards. In July 2016, BET released a photo of the cast recreating the group's iconic album cover for the 1996 release Home Again. In September 2016, BET announced the official premiere date for the film which would air on January 24, 25 and 26, 2017. The network also released an extended trailer which highlighted the legendary onstage brawl between Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe after Brown went solo. The UrbanWorld Film Festival hosted an exclusive screening of several clips.

Reception

Ratings

The film's premiere was watched by 4.2 million viewers, making it BET's most watched premiere since the 2012 season premiere of the sitcom The Game, which drew 5.2 million. The second and final episodes brought in 3.96 million and 4.23 million viewers respectively, making the miniseries the top rated cable program for three consecutive nights.

Critical

The New Edition Story has garnered acclaim from critics. It currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, along with the consensus being, "The New Edition Story colorfully showcases its subjects with honesty and clarity while offering an entertainingly paced overview that leaves room for plenty of the group's greatest hits". The film received rave reviews for the child actors who portrayed younger versions of New Edition in the first part of the series. Sylvia Obell of Buzzfeed praised the casting as "absolute perfection" and rated it an A+. Obell compared the film to another iconic television miniseries -- "it is on its way to being the best black TV biopic since The Jacksons: An American Dream" which aired on ABC in 1992. The most talked about similarities is the uncanny "jawdropping" striking resemblance of the young Bobby Brown, portrayed by Tyler Marcel Williams, who nailed the looks, demeanor and Bobby's most iconic "body roll". Also another uncanny resemblance were of the vocals of the young Ralph Tresvant, portrayed by Jahi Di'Allo Winston. For viewers, hearing his first lead solo appearance in the film singing "Candy Girl" gave chills for nailing every note. Trey Mangum of Blavity said that BET "outdid" themselves, saying "With the warm reception and open arms that the world received The New Edition Story with, it's clear that this story needed to be told, and this was the perfect time." Mangum complimented the "spot-on" casting of both the young and adult casts, as well as the fact both casts recorded their own vocals, a rarity for musical biopics.

During an interview with Bell Biv DeVoe on the radio show, The Breakfast Club, co-host Angela Yee described the casting for the film as "fantastic." Michael Bivins praised Algee Smith's portrayal of Tresvant and said he was "real nice, sliding into the most difficult spot." Smith did an outstanding job portraying Tresvant, especially for his first major role, and displayed amazing vocals somewhat similar to Tresvant's himself. Bivins' own mother pushed for Gray during the casting process. In another interview, Ricky Bell along with Bivins praised Elijah Kelley for his portrayal of Ricky in the film. Bell further praised young actor Caleb McLaughlin for his portrayal as well. Bell was amazed by McLaughlin's attention to detail.

External links

• The New Edition Story at IMDb