QUICK GLANCE CAST LIST:
Derek Baldwin – Ben Gavin
Anita Dupree – Tamara Tunie
Dani Dupree – Karla Mosley
Vernon Dupree – Clifton Davis
Andre Hamilton – Sean Freeman
Bill Hamilton – Timon Durrett
Chelsea Hamilton – RhonniRose Mantilla
Jacob Hawthorne – Jibre Hordges
Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne – Arielle Prepetit
Katherine âKatâ Richardson – Colby Muhammad
Hayley Lawson – Marquita Goings
Vanessa McBride – Lauren Buglioli
Ashley Morgan – Jen Jacob
Tomas âTomâ Navarro – Alex Alegria
Martin Richardson – Brandon Claybon
Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson – Daphnee Duplaix
Ted Richardson – Maurice Johnson
Bradley âSmittyâ Smith – Mike Manning
Dana âLeslieâ Thomas – Trisha Mann-Grant
Eva Thomas – Ambyr Michelle
CHARACTER PROFILES
Tamara Tunie stars as Anita Dupree, matriarch of the family. A famous singer back in the day, Anita worked hard for her success, and raised two daughters with her now-retired senator husband. But underneath her glamorous and refined exterior is a fierceness she gained from her humble beginnings in Chicago. Tamara Tunie is a seasoned daytime star appearing on âAs the World Turnsâ for many years. Also, she originated the role of medical examiner Dr. Melinda Warner with a now landmark 23 seasons on the legendary series âLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit.â In addition, she has held recurring roles on shows including BLUE BLOODS, THE GOOD WIFE and ELEMENTARY for the Network.
Daphnee Duplaix stars as Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson, daughter of Anita, and Daniâs sister, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson is a high-achieving and competitive philanthropist and psychiatrist, and exudes warmth, empathy and compassion. Nicoleâs success in life extends to her marriage to her surgeon husband. She has the perfect life ⊠from the outside. Daphnee Duplaix boasts an illustrious acting career that has spanned over two decades, most notably earning her an NAACP Award nomination for her outstanding portrayal of Rachel Gannon on âOne Life to Live.â
Clifton Davis stars as Vernon Dupree, the Dupree family patriarch married to Anita and father to Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and Dani Dupree. A venerable former senator, Vernon is gentle, humble and generous with his knowledge and experience. Retired now, Vernon was at the forefront of the civil rights movement. Clifton Davis is a veteran actor with a 60-year career that spans television, film, Motown and nine Broadway shows. His most recent recurring roles include the series âClipped,â âGodfather of Harlemâ and MADAM SECRETARY on the Network. Recently on Broadway he played Dr. Dillamond in âWickedâ and originated the role of The Sultan in âAladdin.â Davis is a Tony Award nominee for âTwo Gentlemen of Verona,â a Theatre World Award winner for the Gershwin Review âDo It Againâ and a GRAMMY nominee for writing âNever Can Say Good-byeâ for The Jackson 5.
Karla Mosley stars as Dani Dupree, Anitaâs other daughter, and a former model turned momager who gave up her career for love. Dani was the Dupree family wild child. Free-spirited, headstrong and uninhibited, she dropped out of school to pursue a high-flying modeling career and she has always marched to the beat of her own drum. Karla Mosley starred as Maya Avant Forrester on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Additional credits include âGuiding Light,â âGossip Girl,â âHart of Dixie,â âDeadly Cheer Momâ and âBurn After Reading.â
THE RICHARDSONS
Maurice Johnson stars as Ted Richardson, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardsonâs husband and father to Martin and Katerine âKatâ. Ted is a brilliant plastic surgeon with an ultra-exclusive private practice and women clamor to put their faces and bodies in what they call his blessed hands. Ted has created an impeccable life with his wife â whom he loves passionately â and sleeps well at night, secure that his past will never disrupt his perfect world. Maurice Johnsonâs credits include âChicago Fire,â âGood Girlsâ and âTo Catch a Killer.â
Brandon Claybon stars as Martin Richardson, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and Ted Richardsonâs son and older brother of Katherine âKatâ Richardson. Martin is a congressman who lives outside âthe gatesâ in a Washington, D.C., brownstone with his husband and two adopted children. Following his grandfatherâs path into politics, he has ambition to be the first openly gay Black President. Brandon Claybonâs credits include âGreyâs Anatomy,â Tyler Perryâs âZatima,â and âGeneral Hospital.â
Colby Muhammad stars as Katherine âKatâ Richardson, Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson and Ted Richardsonâs miracle baby. She is the younger sister of Martin Richardson and lives in her parentsâ guest house. Katâs been indulged all her life, which has made her spoiled, entitled and dismissive of those she considers beneath her. Sheâs confident and secure and has never doubted herself or her privileged position in the world. She doesnât like to share but doesnât know that the day when she is forced to may be fast approaching. Colby Muhammad recently starred in the first national tour of the Broadway hit play âJajaâs African Hair Braiding.â
Sean Freeman stars as Andre Hamilton, the sophisticated nephew of Ted Richardson. Andre tragically lost his parents in a plane crash and inherited a double fortune, which allows him to live his bliss as a photographer. Nicole and Ted stepped up for Andre when his parents died, and he depends on their support and wise counsel. A playboy who is smooth on the surface, there is something elusive about Andre that occasionally makes people question his intentions. Sean Freemanâs credits include âFinding Happy,â âTalesâ and âBoxed In.â
THE HAMILTONS
Timon Durrett stars as Bill Hamilton, Dani Dupreeâs ex-husband and father to Naomi and Chelsea. Bill is an opportunist, publicity hound and narcissist, according to his ex-wife, Dani. He is a charismatic and calculated criminal defense attorney who is well-connected, well-received and gets what he wants by any means necessary. Timon Durrettâs credits include âCheaper by the Dozen,â âQueen Sugarâ and âStuck with You.â
Arielle Prepetit stars as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne, Dani Dupree and Bill Hamiltonâs oldest daughter and Chelseaâs older sister. Naomi lives outside âthe gatesâ in Washington, D.C., where she humbly serves as a civil attorney. Sheâs whip smart and the only one in the Dupree family who inherited her grandmother Anita Dupreeâs gift for singing, which bonds them. Arielle Prepetitâs credits include âBMF,â âFoundâ and âThe System.â
RhonniRose Mantilla stars as Chelsea Hamilton, Dani Dupree and Bill Hamiltonâs youngest daughter and Naomiâs younger sister. Chelsea is a social media influencer and has been a successful but reluctant high fashion model since she was 18. Her career expertly guided by Dani, Chelsea is charged with recreating the life her mother gave up, which doesnât fit her own life vision. She has a lot of money, which allows her to follow her dream of designing a line of purses and building her brand. Chelsea indulges in the good things in life, like beautiful people, parties, her new condo in D.C. and the freedom to experiment. RhonniRose Mantilla recently starred in âHarmony the Musicalâ on Broadway.
Marquita Goings stars as Hayley Lawson, a paralegal at Bill Hamiltonâs firm. Hayley is gorgeous, intelligent, charming, witty and the new fiancĂ©e of Dani Dupreeâs ex-husband, Bill Hamilton. Considered a husband-stealing tramp in Daniâs circle, Hayley is nothing if not confident. With time, patience, charm and effort, she will try to win them over â and if not, so what? Hayley has what matters: Bill. Marquita Goingsâ credits include âWokeâ and Tyler Perryâs âZatima.â
THE THOMASES
Trisha Mann-Grant stars as Dana âLeslieâ Thomas, Eva Thomasâ mom and a long-time waitress and bartender. Dana âLeslieâ is not wrapped all that tight and intense, but sheâs charming and easy out in the world. The only person who sees whatâs disturbing about her is her daughter, Eva, and very soon all will see what is unsettling about her, too. Trisha Mann-Grantâs credits include âFamily Businessâ and âA Royal Christmas Surprise.â
Ambyr Michelle stars as Eva Thomas, Dana âLeslieâ Thomasâ daughter and Nicole Dupree Richardsonâs new assistant, who vibrates with intensity and purpose. Eva is determined to right a grievous wrong done to her mother as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Ambyr Michelleâs credits include âThe Runarounds,â âRunning Pointâ and âSnowfall.â
OTHERS
Jibre Hordges stars as Jacob Hawthorne, Naomi Hamilton Hawthorneâs husband and a robbery/homicide detective with the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Jacob hails from a family of law enforcement. He is proud of his wife, the family he comes from, serving the community and seeking justice for victims. Jibre Hordgesâ credits include âGrown-ish,â â9-1-1â and âThe Resident.â
Mike Manning stars as Bradley âSmittyâ Smith, husband to Congressman Martin Richardson and father to teenagers Tyrell and Samantha. A former political reporter turned househusband, Smitty is a fantastic dad who has guided his children with warmth and good humor. Smitty is thinking of resuming his writing career but is hesitant to tell Martin, who likes their home life the way it is. Mike Manningâs credits include âThe Bay,â âDays of Our Livesâ and âThis Is Us.â
Jen Jacob stars as Ashley Morgan, Naomi Hamilton Hawthorneâs best friend, who is the only child of a young single mother. Ashley was a latchkey kid who has never been afraid of rolling up her sleeves. She is a nurse at Washington D.C.âs Garland Memorial Hospital and has the perfect temperament for her profession â positive, cheerful, brisk, resourceful and independent. She can be serious but is also fun-loving with a smile that lights up a room. Jen Jacobâs credits include âThe Unionâ and âLaw & Order: Organized Crime.â
Ben Gavin stars as Derek Baldwin, a devoted firefighter in a relationship with Ashley Morgan and best friend to Jacob Hawthorne. Derek is fearless, holds nothing back and goes into a zone when he fights fire â which is almost personal for him rather than just a professional calling. Incredibly handy, Derek can fix almost anything. Ben Gavinâs credits include âSuper 8,â âThe Dark Tower,â âMy Christmas Loveâ and âMissing at 17.â His recent roles include the films âA Place Called Home,â âGoing for Twoâ and âWinterset.â
Lauren Buglioli stars as Vanessa McBride, a high-end real estate agency owner who specializes in luxury property and is neighbors with Dani Dupree and best friend to Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson. The mother of twins, Vanessa is in a loveless marriage with her high school sweetheart. Lauren Buglioliâs credits include âBad Monkey,â âFlorida Manâ and âA Jazzmanâs Blues.â
Alex Alegria stars as Tomas âTomâ Navarro, a handsome and confident young attorney at Bill Hamiltonâs law firm. Tomas has an eye for Katherine âKatâ Richardson. Alex Alegriaâs credits include CSI and âGossip Girl.â
List updated 1/28/25
All info is from CBS/Paramount.