Oprah Winfrey and H.E.R. Tap Director Sheldon Candis for HBCU Drama Series 'The B-Side'

The highly anticipated HBCU drama series "The B-Side," executive produced by media mogul Oprah Winfrey and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R., has taken a significant step forward in its development with the appointment of acclaimed director Sheldon Candis to helm the project.

The series promises to deliver an authentic portrayal of student life at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, focusing on the personal journeys of students as they navigate their identity, ambition, and the sacrifices required to achieve their post-graduation dreams. Beyond individual student stories, "The B-Side" aims to provide viewers with comprehensive insight into the unique culture and challenges that define the HBCU experience.

Experienced Director Brings Vision to HBCU Storytelling

Sheldon Candis, a Baltimore native and USC Film School graduate, brings substantial creative credentials to the project.

• The 2012 feature film "Luv"
• The 2022 DC Comics superhero series "Naomi"
• An episode of "Colin in Black & White," the 2021 limited series based on former NFL quarterback and racial justice activist Colin Kaepernick's life

With Candis now attached to the project, "The B-Side" can advance to the next critical phases of development, including casting and securing a distribution network. The series represents one of multiple HBCU-focused projects currently in development, signaling a renaissance in programming centered on the Black college experience.

Part of Broader HBCU Entertainment Movement

The development of "The B-Side" coincides with a Netflix reboot of the beloved "Cosby Show" spinoff "A Different World," which is already in production. While that series will continue stories centered on the fictional Hillman College, "The B-Side" will offer fresh perspectives and narratives within HBCU storytelling, effectively "taking viewers back to the yard."

The announcement also follows news that Winfrey and H.E.R. have signed director Jamal Sims to helm "Major," another HBCU-focused project—this one a dance-related film—further demonstrating their commitment to bringing diverse stories from the HBCU community to mainstream audiences.

As multiple HBCU-centered projects prepare for production across various platforms, the entertainment industry appears poised to showcase previously underrepresented stories, providing opportunities to authentically portray the richness of the HBCU experience for contemporary audiences on both television and film.

Originally reported by Black Enterprise.