TV One has announced production is underway in Atlanta on its upcoming original film The Bobby DeBarge Story.

The film stars Roshon Fegan in the lead role as Bobby DeBarge, Tyra Ferrell as Etterlene DeBarge and Adrian Marcel as James DeBarge. Other stars include Big Boi who portrays Berry Gordy, while Lloyd appears as Switch member Gregory Williams. The film is directed by Russ Parr and executive produced by Eric Tomosunas and Teri DeBarge.

The official description: The movie explores the tumultuous life of the former lead singer of the 70’s R&B/Funk Band Switch, also the eldest sibling of the world-famous pop group DeBarge. Despite his success in music, the iconic falsetto found his life in peril as he struggled with fame and fortune while coping with the memories of his dysfunctional childhood.

“The Bobby DeBarge Story continues TV One’s tradition of telling the story of unsung music heroes,” said Karen Peterkin, director of scripted original programming and production who also serves as executive in charge of production for TV One. “While our audience knows Bobby’s group, Switch, and his musically-gifted family, DeBarge, they may not know Bobby DeBarge’s contribution to creating the sound that changed the music landscape for decades to come. A falsetto master, Bobby DeBarge was a musical genius who battled demons of his own for many years. The Bobby DeBarge Story is the quintessential story of sex, drugs and rock and roll.”

Fegan is most known for his role on Disney Channel’s Shake it Up opposite Zendaya, as well as his role on OWN’s Greenleaf. Ferrell, most known for her roles in ’90s films like Boyz n the Hood, Jungle Fever, White Men Can’t Jump and Poetic Justice, last had a recurring role on Empire. This is the first film role for both Lloyd and Marcel. Big Boi appeared in last year’s Superfly.

 

Photo: Greg Doherty/Getty Images, Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images, Cindy Ord/Getty Images, Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images