Lifetime continues its partnership with Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and their Flavor Unit team to bring the inspiring true story of Wanda Pratt, a single mom who struggled and sacrificed to raise her two sons Tony and Kevin Durant, in a new Lifetime Original Movie which the network has now titled and set a premiere date for:
Pratt’s moving story of a mother’s love, tenacity and sacrifice will unfold on Saturday, May 7 at 8pm ET/PT in “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story,” starring Cassandra Freeman, just in time for Mother’s Day.
As a single mom of two by the time she was just 21, Wanda tirelessly worked to make ends meet and put a roof over the heads of her young sons. With the support of her mother Barbara and of her best friend, Wanda focused all her energy on keeping her boys out of trouble and on the basketball court, selflessly putting aside her own dreams and desires to make sure their goals could be achieved. Her hard work paid off as Tony earned basketball scholarships while Kevin headed to the NBA. When Kevin was named NBA’s Most Valuable Player, he dedicated his speech to Wanda, naming her “the real MVP” for all of her sacrifices that allowed him to pursue his dreams.
Joining Freeman in the telepic are Tracie Thoms who plays her best friend and confidante, and Pauletta Washington as her mother Barbara.
The adult Kevin and Tony Durant will be played by newcomers Daniel Bellomy and Nic Few.
Executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere and Wanda Pratt, production on the two-hour film is currently underway in Vancouver, with Nelson George directing from a script written by Yolonda Lawrence and Ligiah Villalobos.
“The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story” is produced by A+E Studios. Executive producers are Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Shelby Stone and Wanda Pratt. Gina Ford and Brynee Baylor are Co-Executive Producers.
“Latifah and I are so lucky to be able to collaborate with Wanda Pratt on her story. Wanda’s tale is both empowering and inspirational and we cannot wait for the Lifetime audience to see it,” said Shakim Compere.
Watch a preview below:
