David Farnor | On 11, Jun 2018

Anthony Anderson will star in Netflix’s new film Beats.

Directed by Chris Robinson from an original screenplay by Miles Orion Feldsott, the urban coming-of-age drama sees the paths of a young musical prodigy (Khalil Everage) with borderline agoraphobia and a former music manager (Anthony Anderson) who fell from grace, collide on Chicago’s South Side. The unlikely duo must come together to free each other from the demons of their past.

Pitched as the ultimate ode to Chicago and its hip hop scene, as it illustrates the beating pulse at the heart of the South Side, the Global Road Entertainment and 51 Minds Entertainment production is opting for authenticity over experience, casting newcomer Khalil Everage, a 17-year-old from Chicago, in his first lead role opposite the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated star of Black-ish. Anderson and Everage will be joined by Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black), Emayatzy Corinealdi (Middle of Nowhere, Roots), Paul Walter Hauser (I, Tonya, BlacKkKlansman), as well as hip hop artists Dave East and Dreezy.

Musically, Beats will also feature both established and rising Chicago based hip-hop producers and artists – including original music from elite hip-hop producer Young Chop, who was born and bred on Chicago’s South Side.

Miles Orion Feldsott is co-producing, with Bob Teitel (The Hate U Give, Men of Honor, Barbershop), Christian Sarabia, and Glendon Palmer (Southside with You, Jumping the Broom) attached as producers. Anderson and Robinson are exec-producing, alongside Carrie Holt de Lama, Mitch Smith, and E. Brian Dobbins.

Filming on the project began in Chicago last week, with a release date planned for 2019.

 

Beats is available on Netflix UK, as part of an £9.99 monthly subscription.

 

Add to Watchlist