Fat Joe is headed back to Starz — but this time, he’s telling his whole story.
After quietly stalling at Showtime, The Book of Jose, a scripted series inspired by the life of hip-hop icon Joseph “Fat Joe” Cartagena, has officially found a new home at Starz. The project, which originates from BET Studios, is now back on track and in development at the same network that aired Joe’s interview show Fat Joe Talks last fall.
This latest chapter in Joe’s television journey will chronicle his come-up — from growing up in the Forest Projects of the South Bronx to becoming a Grammy-nominated artist, entrepreneur, and Bronx cultural mainstay. The show pulls directly from Cartagena’s life, diving into his early days tagging graffiti, his rise through New York’s underground hip-hop scene, and his pivotal role in shaping the culture alongside rap legends like Big Pun.
And he’s bringing heavyweight names along for the ride.
Television mogul Kenya Barris (Black-ish, We the People) is on board to executive produce and co-write the pilot alongside Dominic Colón, a rising voice in TV whose writing credits include Netflix’s upcoming The Corps — the final TV series produced by the late Norman Lear. Colón, a Bronx native himself, is also known for his acting work, with more than 60 credits to his name and a recurring role coming up in HBO’s Task starring Mark Ruffalo.
Directing duties will go to longtime music video and TV director Jessy Terrero (Soul Plane, Nicky Jam: El Ganador), who also serves as an executive producer. The series will be produced by Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society with Adam Kassan overseeing, Artists First’s E. Brian Dobbins, and Fat Joe himself. Ulysses Terrero, Luis Velasco, and Ashley Acevedo also join as producers, with Sabrina Eisenstadt overseeing the project for BET Studios.
Originally announced in 2022, The Book of Jose never made it past development at Showtime. But Starz — a network known for blending hip-hop, drama, and legacy storytelling — seems like the right place to finally bring this origin story to life.
No word yet on a premiere date, but with Barris, Colón, and Joe Crack steering the ship, The Book of Jose is shaping up to be more than just a bio-series — it’s a love letter to hip-hop, hustle, and the Bronx.
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