Fox will explore the lives of the rich and powerful Black elite in a new drama series, Our Kind of People, debuting Sept. 21.

The series, executive produced by Lee Daniels and inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s book of the same name, stars Yaya DaCosta as a young single mother who sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary hair care line. She soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother’s past that threatens to turn her world upside-down and shake up the aspirational world of the rich and powerful Black elite settling in at Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, according to the network. 

Our Kind of People also stars Morris Chestnut, Joe Morton, Debbi Morgan, Nadine Ellis, Lance Gross, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Alana Bright and Kyle Bary. 

“[The series] is so much fun and there’s so much about my character that I felt was really important to bring to the forefront out our discussions,” DaCosta said during a recent TCA virtual panel session for the show. “We are playing with these serious themes, but we are making them so fun, exciting and … controversial.” 

DaCosta, who has starred in such shows as Chicago Med and Chicago P.D., also played music superstar Whitney Houston in a 2015 Lifetime original bio-movie, Whitney. DaCosta talked about the movie and the potential trappings of success in a 2015 interview with Multichannel News.

Lee Daniels, cocreator and executive producer of Fox’s breakout hit Empire, agreed to a multiyear deal Monday with Twentieth Century Fox Television.

Under the deal, Daniels will continue his role with Empire, as well as develop, write, direct and supervise projects for the studio under his Lee Daniels Entertainment banner.

“Lee Daniels has a gift for telling authentic, provocative stories that are both truthful and wildly entertaining,” said Fox Television Group chairmen and CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman in a joint statement. “His casting instincts are incredible, whether he is discovering tomorrow’s stars or attracting the most accomplished performers to his projects. As a director, he elevates world-class material to even greater heights, balancing heart-wrenching poignancy with surprising moments of levity that are over the top and fun. Quite simply, we love working with this inspired storyteller, and this deal is about extending and deepening our relationship.”

Daniels, along with fellow executive producers Danny Strong, Ilene Chaiken, Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo, helped guide Empire as it became the highest-rated broadcast drama in seven years.

“I’m incredibly excited to continue my relationship with Dana and Gary, and the rest of the Fox team,” said Daniels.  “I’m looking forward to developing content and finding alternative voices for both in front of and behind the camera.”

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.