Cast & Crew

ASHLEY OLIVIA FISHER (Mary Anne Thomas) is an award-winning actress born and raised in Queens, New York, whose vibrant personality shines across film, television, and theater. Deeply connected to her Jamaican heritage, she began formal acting training at age 11 and made her professional debut at 12 as a young Madam C.J. Walker for CAP21. She later graduated from New York City’s prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, subsequently expanding her stage credentials in the New York production of I’M AN EMOTIONAL CREATURE, co-directed by Eve Ensler and Rosario Dawson. Fisher further honed her craft at the world-renowned Actors Studio, trained under industry veteran Anthony Abeson at The Producers Club, and participated in the Creative Minds in Cannes program at the Cannes Film Festival.

Today, Fisher is widely recognized for her breakout role as series lead regular in the acclaimed Paramount Plus dark comedy drama AVERAGE JOE. Her exceptional range earned her the Best Actress award at the Los Angeles Film Awards for the pilot THE SYSTEM. Off-screen, she is a dedicated global philanthropist who has volunteered in Nairobi, Kenya, and was recently named an Honoree at the Queens Borough President's Office Jamaican Independence Day Celebration. A proud aunt to her two nieces and nephew, she is represented by Rebel Creative Group and Meyer & Downs.

ASPEN KENNEDY (Joseph “Junie” Love) is best known for his authentic and heartfelt performances who is quickly establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s most compelling leading men of his generation. Born in the vibrant city of Memphis, Tennessee, Kennedy’s faith has been the driving force behind his extraordinary journey. Little did he know that during his sophomore year at Jackson State University his path would take an unexpected turn when a stranger approached him and recommended that he enroll in a course called Fundamentals of Acting. What seemed like a random encounter became a pivotal moment, steering him toward his true calling. Just months before graduating he landed his first network television role on the hit drama series, QUEEN SUGAR (created by Ava DuVernay with Oprah Winfrey serving as executive producer) marking the start of a flourishing career.

Driven by a deep passion for stories that resonate on a personal level and spark meaningful impact, Kennedy explains, “Storytelling is more than entertainment—when done from the heart it becomes a powerful tool for understanding, healing, and empathy.” Echoing this sentiment, Kennedy adds, “This kind of work speaks to the heart and bears fruit in a way that heals both the storyteller and the audience. It creates a shared connection, fostering the sense of unity we all seek.” Kennedy’s debut in a leading role in THE FORGE (Sony Pictures), which opened in theaters on August 23, 2024, calls for his place among Hollywood’s leading men. The film opened to a solid #4 at the North American box office, grossing more than $40 million globally, far surpassing its $5 million budget. Kennedy’s performance has firmly established him as a future box-office draw.

ROTIMI (Walter Moon) is a Nigerian-American actor and producer. Born on November 30, 1988, in Maplewood, New Jersey, and raised in a Nigerian household that shaped his identity, Rotimi has built a television career marked by standout roles in the hit series BOSS, POWER, and THE CHI. Known for his screen presence and range, Rotimi has earned a loyal international following through his work on screen.

LIL REL HOWERY (Gabe) is a West Side Chicago native actor, comedian, writer, producer and director known for breakout roles in THE CARMICHAEL SHOW, as well as in the Oscar-winning horror film GET OUT (2017). Prior to that he also wrote, produced, and starred in his sketch series FRIENDS OF THE PEOPLE and self-titled Fox sitcom REL. Howery has become a comedic staple in Chicago and a rising star nationally. His hilarious storytelling has allowed him to become an increasingly iconic personality.

Over the last year, we heard Howery as “Chief” in Universal’s DOG MAN, he appeared in Apple TV+’s THE STUDIO and co-starred with Rainn Wilson in CODE 3. 2026 marked a promising year for the actor, as Howery made his directorial debut with his grassroots, independent film HAUNTED HEIST, starring alongside Tiffany Haddish and released in theaters July 24, 2026.

GREGORY ALAN WILLIAMS (Dr. Amos) has thirty-plus years of acting experience and continues to appear regularly in film and on television. He has also been producing, writing and directing for the past several years. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Williams served as a Combat Engineer and Journalist in the United States Marine Corps. His professional career began in 1978 as a member of the renowned Penumbra Theater Company in St. Paul, Minnesota.

ASHLEY RIOS (Rosa Lee), born and raised in Washington, D.C., is an American actress known for her dynamic range and captivating screen presence. Her standout performance as Malika Goodspeed on the Amazon Prime #1 hit television series CROSS has earned her a recurring role for three seasons. Cinema Siege writes, “Rios injects her character with a fierce intensity, making every scene she’s in leap off the screen.” She is a versatile film, television, and theater actress.

Whether she is portraying Jamise in Netflix’s #1 series NEMESIS, Dorothy Payton in Hulu’s THE WONDER YEARS, or Pearl Tate in the upcoming Amazon Prime series THE GREATEST, Rios is making her mark in the entertainment industry.

She has studied acting with world-renowned acting coach Susan Batson, as well as Tasha Smith of TSAW. Rios also majored in dance at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to her craft, Rios continues to captivate audiences and critics alike.

ROGER GUENVEUR SMITH (Boozer) is an internationally acclaimed actor, writer, and director who has created a prolific body of work on stage and screen.

Smith’s astonishing range is further demonstrated in the cult classics DEEP COVER and KING OF NEW YORK, EVE'S BAYOU, HAMLET, ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS, and AMERICAN GANGSTER, for which he was nominated for the Screen Actors' Guild Award. On HBO, Smith has starred in Steven Soderbergh’s K STREET, OZ, and UNCHAINED MEMORIES: READINGS FROM THE SLAVE NARRATIVE.

Katori Hall’s THE MOUNTAINTOP, Steven Berkoff’s AGAMEMNON, and the Bessie and Ovation Award-winning RADIO MAMBO, are also among his directorial credits.

Smith was born in Berkeley, and raised in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife, the writer LeTania Kirkland, and their three children. He has an adult daughter from a former marriage.

CLIFTON POWELL (Willie Earl) is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He is an actor and producer, known for the films RAY, SELMA LORD SELMA, DEAD PRESIDENTS, and MENACE 2 SOCIETY, and the TV series THE FAMILY BUSINESS, SACRIFICE, and SAINTS & SINNERS. Clifton has two children, Maya and Clifton Jr., and two grandchildren, Alizah and Rashaad Jr.