Netflix released the trailer to their upcoming limited series From Scratch, based on Tembi Locke’s best-selling memoir From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home. The series will debut on Netflix, October 21st.
The series stars Zoe Saldana, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Danielle Deadwyler, Keith David, Judith Scott, and Kellita Smith. Lucia Sardo, Paride Benassai, Roberta Rigano, Terrell Carter, Medalion Rahimi, Jonathan Del Arco, and Saad Siddiqui round out the cast.
Nzingha Stewart will direct five episodes, including the pilot episode, while Dennie Gordon will direct the remaining three episodes. The series is being adapted by Locke’s sister Attica Locke, who serves as showrunner.
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From Scratch follows Amy (Saldana), an American woman as she falls in love with a Sicilian chef while studying abroad in Italy. She goes goes on to build a life with him in Los Angeles, merging two seemingly opposite cultures. When her husband is diagnosed with cancer, Amy becomes her husband’s caregiver and the person who brings their two very different families together. And when he passes she creates a new, blended family for her and her daughter as she also manages to pull herself through grief so she can raise their daughter as they would have raised her together: with hope, joy and infinite love.
Medalion Rahimi, Jonathan Del Arco, Peter Mendoza, Lorenzo Pozzan, and Jonathan D. King round out the cast. They join previously announced cast members Eugenio Mastrandrea, Danielle Deadwyler, Judith Scott, Lucia Sardo, Paride Benassai and Roberta Rigano. Rodney Gardiner, Giacomo Gianniotti, Elizabeth Anweis, and Kassandra Clementi will guest star throughout the limited series
Terrell Carter plays Ken, Zora’s (Deadwyler) boyfriend and former NFL player who runs the athletics department at the private school where Zora teaches. Although he’s “apolitical” (blasphemy in the politically active Wheeler family), Ken more than makes up for it with his big heart.
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Deadwyler plays Zora, Amy’s (Saldana) older sister and best friend. Although she sometimes resents her baby sister for getting their parents to go along with her rule-breaking she also lovingly cheers her on. With wry humor, she is Amy’s fiercest ally in the family.
David plays Hershel, former civil rights activist, and Amy’s father. Hershel is a plainspoken man who lets his kids make their own decisions but doesn’t bullshit them if he thinks they’re about to make a mistake. He raised two headstrong young women. Though happily remarried, his divorce from Amy’s mom is a wound he still carries.
Smith plays Lynn, Amy’s bitingly funny mother full of judgment about almost every aspect of her daughter’s life. Lynn gave Hershel custody of the girls after they divorced and has spent the last decade feeling guilty and regretting this decision.
Scott plays Maxine, Herschel’s wife, and Amy’s stepmother. Maxine practically raised Amy and Zora during their teen years, and her commitment to them is unwavering.
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The series is executive produced by Attica Locke, Tembi Locke, Reese Witherspoon, and Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, Zoe Saldana for Cinestar, Richard Abate, Jermaine Johnson, and Will Rowbotham for 3 Arts Entertainment. Producers are Nzingha Stewart, Guy Louthan, Emily Ferenbach for Hello Sunshine, Cisely Saldana and Mariel Saldana for Cinestar.