In an unexpected move, Onyx Collective has canceled production on the pilot for “Not Cops,” just days before filming was set to commence in Atlanta. The project, led by former “Insecure” showrunner Prentice Penny, was quietly greenlit two months ago but had not been officially announced.
The half-hour pilot, like many Onyx projects, tackled a provocative subject. It focused on the residents of Leimert Park in Los Angeles who take charge of their community’s safety after the defunding of the police. Despite the intriguing premise and the involvement of actors like Bethlehem Million, Suzy Nakamura, and Chi McBride, the pilot faced significant hurdles in its pre-production phase.
According to Deadline who broke this news, the cancellation occurred amidst the casting process, with two key roles still unfilled after multiple testing sessions. Filming was scheduled to begin in mid-July, primarily in Atlanta with potential location work in Los Angeles. However, the project did not secure a deal with the local teamsters in Atlanta, which was cited as a reason for the shutdown. This explanation, however, contradicts union sources who stated that Local 728 had made extensive efforts to facilitate the production.
The situation was further complicated by ongoing negotiations in Los Angeles, where the Hollywood Basic Crafts below-the-line unions, including Teamsters Local 399, are negotiating a new three-year contract as their current one expires on July 31. In contrast, Atlanta teamsters work on a project-by-project basis. A union source revealed, “The studio said it wasn’t going to work out,” despite Local 728’s attempts to support the “Not Cops” shoot.
Timing appears to be a critical factor in the decision. Producers were reportedly concerned that the unresolved issues and tight timeline would prevent the pilot from being completed in time to meet its target delivery date.
Prentice Penny remains a prominent figure within Onyx’s talent pool. He recently directed the Hulu documentary “Black Twitter: A People’s History” and continues to develop other projects under his overall deal with the Disney collective.