Tyler Perry’s cinematic universe took center stage at the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture, offering fans an exclusive glimpse into what’s next from the TV/Film mogul — who signed a multi-year deal with Netflix in 2023.
On Friday (July 4), Netflix kicked off the Fest with a special presentation on the main stage, treating fans to never-before-seen sneak peeks of Perry’s upcoming slate of films and series. The event, hosted by Bevy Smith, opened with actress Terri J. Vaughn, who gave the crowd a look into the second installment of Miss Governor, arriving on Aug. 14 on the streaming platform.
Vaughn, who stars as Antoinette Dunkerson, described the political comedy as a “love letter to Black women” who are in leadership, according to ESSENCE.
Bevy Smith and Terri J. Vaughn onstage during a special look at The Tyler Perry Universe at Essence Festival on July 04, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Peter Forest/Getty Images for Netflix
The cast of Beauty in Black also took the stage with stars: Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystle Stewart, Ricco Ross, and Julian Horton — who gave fans a preview of the “crazy” twists and turns coming in season two, premiering Sept. 11.
Also announced was Ruth & Boaz, a faith-based film from Perry and producer DeVon Franklin, debuting Sept. 26. And of course, fans were treated to a glimpse of the next film installment in the Madea craze: Madea’s Destination Wedding, dropping July 11.
To make it extra special, guests were also invited to enter for a Bahamas vacation giveaway courtesy of The Atlantis Resort.
Bevy Smith, Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystal Stewart, Julian Horton, and Ricco Ross speak onstage during a special look at The Tyler Perry Universe at Essence Festival on July 04, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Peter Forest/Getty Images for Netflix
While Perry’s creative empire continues to flourish, he’s currently facing a few serious allegations. The Oval actor Derek Dixon has filed a $260,000,000 lawsuit against the mogul, accusing him of sexual harassment, assault, and coercion during his time on BET+ series Ruthless and The Oval.
In the lawsuit, Dixon details an alleged pattern of professional retaliation after he refused Perry’s alleged advances, including being written off storylines and enduring mental health struggles.
Perry has denied all claims. His attorney, Matthew Boyd, dismissed the suit as a baseless “shake down,” stating, “Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
See pics above from the Netflix panel highlighting whats to come in the Tyler Perry Universe. Also check out the trailer for Madea’s Destination Wedding below.
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