VH1 ANNOUNCES CAST FOR "THE BREAKS" SET TO PREMIERE JANUARY 2017

SCRIPTED SERIES FOLLOWS NETWORK'S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ORIGINAL FILM BY THE SAME NAME DIRECTED BY 'HOMELAND'S' SEITH MANN

'MOZART IN THE JUNGLE'S' JOHN J. STRAUSS JOINS AS SERIES EP

NEW YORK, NY (August 10, 2016) - VH1 today announced the full cast for "The Breaks," the network's new scripted series based on its critically acclaimed hit film that aired earlier this year.

Melonie Diaz ("Fruitvale Station"), Sinqua Walls ("Power") and Ali Ahn ("Billions") are joining the movie's original cast including Afton Willamson (HBO's "The Night Of... "), Wood Harris ("The Wire"), Mack Wilds ("90210"), Antoine Harris ("Ballers"), David Call ("The Magicians") and Evan Handler ("Sex and the City").

Inspired by the book by journalist Dan Charnas entitled The Big Payback, a narrative history of the hip-hop business, "The Breaks" is written, directed and executive produced by Seith Mann ("The Wire," "The Walking Dead," "Homeland") with a story by Mann and Charnas. John J. Strauss ("Mozart in the Jungle") is joining as Executive Producer for the series. The film followed three young friends fulfilling their hip hop dreams in New York City in 1990. The series will continue to explore their triumph and heartbreak trying to make their mark in a new and complex hip hop culture.

Mann, Charnas, Strauss, Bill Flanagan and Darren Goldberg are executive producers on "The Breaks." Maggie Malina, Chris McCarthy and Amy Doyle will serve as executive producers for VH1.

VH1 is the dominant pop culture brand for adults 18-34, creating their pop culture today while celebrating the pop culture of their past. VH1 is available in 93 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including the VH1 App, VH1.com and @VH1, the hub for all things music and pop culture. Fans may also access current and retro VH1 programming via the VH1 App, the network's three-in-one video, new form content and co-viewing app, available for free on iOS and Android platforms. VH1 is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.