Hartbeat’s push into vertical content continues to expand. The company has released cast and crew details for the first wave of its partnership with aTwist, three original microdramas, Trapstar: Queen of the Game, Circle of Lies, and Mirror, spanning crime, mystery, and psychological thriller, each centered on a Black woman at the heart of the story. All three premiere on aTwist Thursday, September 24.
The trio marks an early piece of a much larger deal. Hartbeat and aTwist previously announced a strategic partnership to produce more than 20 original microseries exclusively for the platform, including a dedicated Hartbeat destination on aTwist and a slate of comedy microseries under the “LOL” umbrella. That slate is anchored by adaptations of Essence No. 1 bestselling author Blake Karrington’s book series, produced in partnership with Upscale Promotions and Entertainment, the production company founded by Malik Davis, who serves as an executive producer on Trapstar: Queen of the Game.
Trapstar: Queen of the Game
Based on the acclaimed book series by Blake Karrington, Trapstar: Queen of the Game follows a street-smart queen secretly running a shadow empire while the man who loves her believes he’s the one in control, until the night everything unravels and she’s forced to choose between the empire and the man.
The series stars Tyler Abron as Reign, Jamal Woolard as Rich, and Toccara Jones as Det. Vance, with Rico Ball, Don Brumfield, Famecia Ward, Ashanti Harris, Tae Rene, Pier Jeffries, Christopher Deon, and Mercedes Sanders rounding out the cast.
Kareem Oda Jr., known as “Curly The 5th,” directs from a script by Tyrone J. Dangerfield. Davis and Tiffaney Collins executive produce, with Gold Morgan, Ty Johnston-Chavis, and William Uschold serving as producers.
Circle of Lies
Written by Nicole Jones-Dion, Circle of Lies follows five accomplished Black women who reunite at a remote cabin after receiving a mysterious invitation, only to find themselves trapped in a deadly game. Forced to confront the betrayal that shattered their sisterhood, the women uncover dark secrets, old wounds, and a killer hiding closer than they ever imagined.
The series stars Hosaena Mesfin as Maya, alongside Angelica Thompson, Benita Bajikihaie, Brittany Miller, Rachelle Show, Shanelle Michaels, Kosa Akaraiwe, JP Michaels, Tyrrell Gardner, and Mackenzie Gregorwich.
Dennis Dortch directs. Michael Maponga produces, with Emmanuel Kabongo serving as co-producer.
Mirror
Mirror follows Brittany (Rachelle Show), who lives in the shadow of her seemingly perfect twin and builds a breakthrough app to manage her anxiety. When her sister Ashley (Idaya Bello) steals the app and systematically unravels her life, Brittany is forced to fight for her own identity as reality begins to fracture around her.
The series also stars Mackenzie Gregorwich, Nigel Hunter, Cher De La Cruz, Kosa Akaraiwe, Joakim Johansson, Tiago Ferreira, Chichi Onianwah, Daniela Mendoza Almeyda, Kayla Harvard, Joel Witton, Jade Mendoza, and Life Hazzard.
Dennis Dortch directs from a script by Simona Calo. Maponga produces, with Kabongo serving as co-producer.
All three microdramas launch on aTwist September 24. aTwist is led by former Showtime president Jana Winograde, former NBCUniversal Content chairman Susan Rovner, and former ABC Entertainment Group chairman Lloyd Braun, and currently has more than 20 series in production across scripted, unscripted, and animation.