Picture: Netflix
Ruth and Boaz (previously just R&B), the iconic love story from the Bible, is receiving a modern-day retelling on Netflix with Tyler Perry producing the romance film. Filming for the new flick has long since wrapped and is scheduled to arrive later in 2025. Here’s what you need to know.
Ruth and Boaz is an upcoming Netflix Original romance film produced by Tyler Perry and his studio, Tyler Perry Studios. The film is directed by Alanna Brown (best known for Netflix’s Trees of Peace, which she wrote) and written by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan. DeVon Franklin, Angi Bones, Tony Strickland, and Chad Tennies are listed as producers alongside Perry. DeVon Franklin is an executive producer. Kurt Farquhar is providing the music and Michael Negrin is behind the cinematography.
The movie stems from a new creative partnership announced in May 2024, which will see Franklin and Perry develop faith-based movies under a multi-year, multi-picture deal. Perry also works under a larger deal with the streamer, having already worked on several Originals for Netflix and is working on many more, such as the series Beauty in Black and the historical war film The Six Triple Eight.
What is the plot of Ruth & Boaz?
A synopsis for Ruth & Boaz is seen below, but the movie essentially updates the well-told tale from the bible with the premise now set in modern-day rural Tennessee. Here’s the full logline:
“The faith-based film is a modern-day retelling of Ruth and Boaz, one of the most iconic love stories in the Bible. After her decision to walk away from a potential record deal leads to a tragic act of revenge, Ruth feels called to join her late boyfriend’s mother Naomi, as they both leave Atlanta for a small town in Tennessee to start over from scratch. The only job she can find involves laboring at a local vineyard, leading her to owner Bo “Boaz” Astra, who falls for Ruth the moment he lays eyes on her. Ruth holds tight to her faith and slowly begins to accept love, but her past is soon to catch up with her.”
The movie has a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Moved by Ruth’s selflessness, Boaz invites Ruth to glean grain from his field. His generosity, as shown in this illustration by William Hole, encourages Ruth’s mother-in-law. – Illustration by Lebrecht Music & Arts, Alamy
Who are the cast members of Ruth & Boaz?
Pictures provided by Netflix
On October 14th, Netflix confirmed nine cast members for the upcoming movie, although we’ve since learned of a bunch more. Here’s the full cast:
- Serayah (Empire, Kingdom Business) as Ruth
- Tyler Lepley (Harlem, P-Valley) as Boaz
- Phylicia Rashad (The Gilded Age, The Beekeeper) as Naomi
- Walnette Santiago (Doom Patrol, BMF) as Lena
- Nijah Brenea (Kold x Windy, Rap Sh!t) as Breana
- James Lee Thomas (One Spoon of Chocolate, Bad Boys: Ride or Die) as Syrus
- Gabby Jackson (Straw) as Young Ruth
- Gregory Alan Williams (The Righteous Gemstones) as Eli
- Darryl W. Handy (Atlanta) as Pastor Charles
- Yusef Thomas (BMF) as Savvy-Q
- Antwan Mills (Furious 7) as Detective Lansing
- D’Kia Anderson (Beauty in Black) as Ruth’s Mother
- Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds
- Jermaine Dupri (Genius: Aretha, Brown Sugar)
- Lecrae Moore as Sauce
- Yung Joc (Norbit) as Eternity MC
- Leydi Morales (Tales) as Laborer One
- Kenneth Israel (Instant Family) as Raynell
What is the production status of Ruth & Boaz?
As reported in issue 1422 of Production Weekly, filming is scheduled to begin on October 7, 2024, and end by November 1, 2024. It took place in Georgia within Tyler Perry’s expansive production hub.
Will you be watching Ruth & Boaz on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!
