Malcolm D. Lee is entering a new phase of his career—one defined not by revisiting past success, but by expanding his creative footprint across film, broadcast television, and streaming.
Best known for The Best Man franchise, Girls Trip, and more Lee currently has four major projects in development that showcase his range as a filmmaker and producer, spanning prestige thrillers, network dramas, and psychological storytelling. Here’s a closer look at what’s ahead.
Untitled Thriller (Universal Pictures)
Lee is set to direct a high-profile, yet-to-be-titled thriller for Universal Pictures, backed by an impressive production lineup that includes Blumhouse, Monkeypaw Productions, and Lee’s own Blackmaled Productions.
Plot details remain tightly under wraps but the ensemble includes Lynn Whitfield, Chloe Bailey, Coco Jones, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop, and Romy Woods.
Written by Alan McElroy and Matthew Mixon, the film marks Lee’s return to feature directing following the success of The Best Man: The Final Chapters. The thriller is currently slated for a 2026 theatrical release.
Need to Know (NBC)
Lee is also expanding his television footprint with Need to Know, a new spy procedural in development at NBC.
The series reunites Lee with The Best Man collaborator Taye Diggs, who stars as a seasoned CIA operative forced to partner with a younger, more impulsive officer. Inspired by real events, the show is set in South Florida and centers on high-risk intelligence operations conducted out of a covert base.
Lee is attached to direct and executive produce through Blackmaled Productions. The pilot was written by Alexander Maggio, a former intelligence analyst turned television writer, with Universal Television serving as the studio.
Truth (NBC)
NBC is further expanding its drama slate with Truth, a new series in development from Dallas Jackson, David Marshall Grant, Malcolm D. Lee and his Blackmaled Productions, and Universal Television.
Written by Jackson and Grant, with Lee attached to direct, Truth is inspired by the life and work of Dr. Roger Mitchell Jr., Washington, D.C.’s youngest and first Black chief medical examiner.
The series follows Xavier “Truth” Hall, a brilliant medical examiner who becomes the youngest person to run a major-city morgue. Beyond solving complex forensic cases, the show explores his commitment to providing closure for grieving families, as well as his strained relationship with his father, who struggles with addiction. Jackson and Grant executive produce alongside Lee.
Becoming Marlow Fin (Peacock)
Rounding out Lee’s current slate is Becoming Marlow Fin, a psychological drama in development at Peacock, based on the novel by Ellen Won Steil.
The adaptation is written and executive produced by Des Moran, with Lee directing and executive producing through Blackmaled Productions. The series unfolds during a high-stakes televised interview, as a global superstar attempts to clear her name in the disappearance of her sister—while simultaneously becoming the prime suspect in the public eye.
Structured in near real-time, the series explores themes of fame, perception, truth, and the power of narrative in the court of public opinion.
Girls Trip 2 (Universal Pictures)
Lee is also officially attached to direct Girls Trip 2, the long-anticipated sequel to the 2017 box office hit that starred Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish.
While plot details and a release date have yet to be announced, the sequel has been positioned as a major priority for Universal, with Lee returning to continue the story that became a cultural moment and grossed over $140 million worldwide. The project remains in development, with expectations high for a reunion that captures the original film’s humor, chemistry, and cultural impact.
What’s Next
Between theatrical features, network dramas, streaming series, and his recent move into publishing with The Best Man: Unfinished Business, Malcolm D. Lee is clearly in an expansion phase—building a slate that reflects both creative range and long-term vision.
Rather than revisiting past wins, Lee appears focused on shaping what comes next—and doing so across every major storytelling platform.