Ruth & Boaz: Netflix, Tyler Perry Studios, and DeVon Franklin Reimagine Scripture with Black Excellence

Some biblical stories resonate across centuries. The Book of Ruth—with its themes of loyalty, resilience, and providence—has now found a new home on Netflix through a partnership between DeVon Franklin, Tyler Perry Studios, and director Alanna Brown (Trees of Peace).

Written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar) and Cory Tynan (Play’d), Ruth & Boaz positions itself not simply as faith-based entertainment but as a visually lush romance rooted in spiritual depth.

Casting as Calling

Franklin revealed that the casting process was both exhaustive and serendipitous. Over one hundred women and one hundred men auditioned. Tyler Lepley, who ultimately portrays Boaz, submitted a late self-tape that impressed the producers. Franklin persuaded Serayah to audition for Ruth after she initially passed. Once paired, their chemistry was immediate.

“It felt like providence,” Franklin said. “This wasn’t just casting; it was alignment.”

Ruth’s Journey

Serayah portrays Ruth as a woman weathering turbulence yet capable of choosing loyalty. “Ruth wasn’t looking for love—she was looking to serve,” Franklin noted during a panel discussion moderated by Erica Campbell. “And as a reward for that, God blessed her with love.”

Reflecting on the role, Serayah shared: “The message of Ruth taught me that love is everything. Playing her allowed me to grow spiritually and personally.”

A Naomi Worth Following

Phylicia Rashad anchors the film as Naomi. With understated gravitas, she conveys grief, mentorship, and faith with equal precision. “She gave Ruth someone to follow,” Franklin explained. “That’s what made her performance so vital.”

Boaz, Protector and Partner

Lepley’s Boaz embodies a different model of manhood—protective, patient, and affirming. “If you see where Boaz met Ruth, she was in turmoil,” Lepley said. “But that didn’t make her any less deserving of real love. This film shows what authentic, Godly love looks like.”

One of the film’s most poignant moments comes when Boaz arranges for Ruth to meet Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, a tender act that affirms her musical gift. It is love expressed as encouragement rather than transaction.

The Team Effort

Franklin praised the cast and crew for their commitment to excellence, crediting the ensemble for delivering a polished production in just 20 days of filming at Atlanta’s Montelucevineyard. “They were ambassadors for what it means to be excellent and Black,” he said.

Lepley echoed that sentiment: “It’s like a football team—you see the quarterback, but you forget about the offensive line. This film worked because of everyone involved.”

More Than a Movie

For Franklin, the project is both personal and spiritual. “Coming out of divorce, I related to Ruth’s story. It reminded me that God still has a plan, even in loss. This film is a testimony of that.”

Now playing on Netflix, Ruth & Boaz doesn’t merely retell scripture; it reframes it for today. It shows that destiny can still be written in the quiet decisions of faith, in the daily work of loyalty, and in gestures of love that ask for nothing in return. Faith and romance are not opposing forces but companions, reminding us that providence still speaks—sometimes through silence, sometimes through song, always through love.

About the Author:

Dr. Marie Y. Lemelle, PhD is a journalist, media strategist, and human rights advocate dedicated to amplifying voices in underserved communities. Dr. Lemelle is the President of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce’s Beverly Hills Chapter. IG @platinumstarpr