Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash Shine in TV Land Series “The Soul Man”

Tweet

But don’t worry… This one isn’t a reality show.

The two Hollywood vets are starring in the TV Land original series, “The Soul Man” where Cedric plays Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine, a former R&B singer turned preacher. Nash plays Mrs. Ballentine. The show is based on a character Ced played on “Hot in Cleveland.”

“We tried to create a show that was reflective of black life, of real black life,” said The Soul Man Executive Producer Eric Rhone. “Ced and Niecy are married. They have a daughter. Ced’s dad is still around, and his little brother, and they are the nucleus of the family.”

When Boyce’s R&B career ends, he heads to Las Vegas to perform. Then, the PK is called to preach and he and his family move St. Louis where he’ll pastor his father’s church.

“When we were coming up with the show and writing the initial pilot we were like, ‘the show has to take place in St. Louis (STL),’” Rhone said.

“That’s where we are from and that’s what we represent everywhere we go, it’s all about that STL love, and we wanted the show to mirror what happens in the STL, our culture and our upbringing in St. Louis. Those are the kind of things that we are after in each script.”

Rhone, Nash and Cedric are all from St. Louis.

“The Soul Man,” was TV Land’s second highest rated series premiere among its target audience– second only to the series launch of “Hot in Cleveland” in June 2010. The series premiered June 20.

Upcoming upcoming guests on the show include Sherri Shepherd, Trina and Tamar Braxton.

“The Soul Man” airs Wednesdays nights at 10 p.m. EST on TV Land.