DEMETRIUS "LIL MEECH" FLENORY JR., SON OF DEMETRIUS "BIG MEECH" FLENORY, SET TO PLAY HIS FATHER IN STARZ'S "BLACK MAFIA FAMILY"

DA'VINCHI SET TO STAR AS TERRY FLENORY WITH TASHA SMITH DIRECTING

WOOD HARRIS SET IN RECURRING ROLE JOINING BROTHER STEVE HARRIS IN CAST

FROM EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CURTIS "50 CENT" JACKSON AND PRODUCED BY G-UNIT FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION COMPANY IN ASSOCIATION WITH STARZ AND LIONSGATE TELEVISION, THE SERIES BEGINS FILMING THIS MONTH

Santa Monica, Calif - Starz announced today that Demetrius "Lil Meech" Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory, is set to make his acting debut starring as his father in the STARZ Original series "Black Mafia Family." The series will be executive produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson ("Power," "Power Book II: Ghost," "For Life") and writer, executive producer, and Detroit native Randy Huggins ("Star," "Rebel," "Power"). "Black Mafia Family," inspired by the true story of the Flenory brothers who gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in this country, will also star Da'Vinchi ("All American," "grown-ish") as Demetrius' brother Terry "Southwest T" Flenory. Additionally, veteran actress, director and acting coach Tasha Smith ("Empire," "Power," Why Did I Get Married?) will be directing the first episode and multiple others. Wood Harris ("Empire," Creed) is set to join his brother Steve Harris in a recurring role. "Black Mafia Family" is produced through Jackson's G-Unit Film and Television in association with Starz and Lionsgate Television.

Demetrius "Lil Meech" Flenory Jr. plays his real-life father, Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory. A charming and ambitious Detroit legend-in-the-making, who becomes the face of the operation. Hungry for his slice of the American dream, Meech quickly advances from a corner boy to a mid-level man, who knows when to use the carrot or the stick as he and his brother set out to become the Kings of Detroit.

Da'Vinchi plays Demetrius' brother Terry "Southwest T" Flenory, the quiet and calculating brains behind the scene. Terry is torn between two competing identities: being a new father and becoming the first male in their family to graduate high school, or tight-roping as a serendipitous dealer who must protect his brother from himself as well as secure their safety.

Wood Harris will join his brother in the cast recurring as Pat, the revered O.G. who gives Meech and Terry their first shot in the game. He instills a family first attitude that the Flenorys adopt until they begin to outshine their mentor and pursue their own independence.

Tasha Smith, who has starred in "Empire," "Power," Why Did I Get Married? and "For Better or Worse," among others, and has served as director on several series including "P-Valley," "Star" and "Big Sky," is set to direct multiple episodes. Smith, along with executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, was instrumental in Demetrius Flenory Jr.'s casting.

Previously announced cast include series regulars Russell Hornsby (Fences, The Hate U Give) as Charles Flenory and Steve Harris ("The Practice," Diary of a Mad Black Woman) as Detective Bryant, and entertainer Arkeisha "Kash Doll" Knight recurring as Monique.

"Black Mafia Family" is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980's and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in this country. Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory's charismatic leadership, Terry "Southwest T" Flenory's business acumen and the fraternal partnership's vision beyond the drug trade and into the world of Hip Hop would render the brothers iconic on a global level. Their unwavering belief in family loyalty would be the cornerstone of their partnership and the crux of their eventual estrangement. This is a story about love, kinship and capitalism in the pursuit of the American dream.

The series begins filming in Atlanta and Detroit this month.Terri Kopp, Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements also serve as executive producers on the series.

Senior Vice President of Original Programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair is the executive overseeing "Black Mafia Family" on behalf of Starz. Erin Conroy is the executive overseeing the series on behalf of Lionsgate.

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