Wanda Sykes and Deon Cole Set to Star Alongside Hart; Series to be Produced by Hartbeat

(Black PR Wire) Los Angeles, CA - Recently, BET+ and Hartbeat, the global entertainment company founded by Kevin Hart, announce “Lil Kev,” the first original adult animated series for BET+.  Created from the mind of actor, stand-up comedian, and executive producer, Kevin Hart, “Lil Kev” is set to premiere in the Spring of 2025.

Inspired by the childhood and comedy of the two-time New York Times best-selling author, the half-hour series takes a humorous, satirical, and subversive approach to real-life issues he experienced with no-holds-barred comedy and no words off limits.

Wanda Sykes is set to star as Kevin’s hardworking and God-fearing mother, Nancy, alongside Deon Cole, who stars as Uncle Richard Jr., Nancy’s formerly incarcerated, fully-ripped, hustling younger brother.  Additional casting to be announced.

Set in 1993 North Philadelphia, the adult animated series “Lil Kev” follows 12-year-old Kevin Hart, whose wild imagination and unshakable optimism constantly collide with his neighborhood’s harsh realities. At the same time, his no-nonsense mother Nancy juggles night shifts as an E.R. nurse while waging a one-woman war to keep Kev on track – no easy feat with his mischievous older brother Robert blazing all the wrong trails, his trainwreck father Henry’s outrageous attempts to win Nancy back, and his ex-con uncle Richard Jr.’s questionable life advice. Through it all, Lil Kev navigates his rocky upbringing with humor, hustle, and heart, surrounded by the unforgettable characters who will propel him to comedy superstardom.

"I'm excited to deepen the partnership between Hartbeat and BET on a project so close to my heart," says Kevin Hart. "With comedy veterans Wanda and Deon alongside me, we're bringing Lil Kev to life—a hilarious celebration of stories inspired by my Philly roots, a place that will always be home to me.”

“Lil Kev marks an exciting milestone for BET+ as we continue to expand our content portfolio with bold, fresh, and culturally resonant storytelling. Kevin Hart’s unique comedic voice has long been a favorite across our platforms, and we’re thrilled to bring his personal journey to life through this groundbreaking adult animated series,” said Scott Mills, President and CEO of BET Media Group. “With an all-star cast and an authentic narrative rooted in Kevin’s real-life experiences, Lil Kev is sure to captivate audiences and further solidify BET+ as the home for Black storytelling in all its forms.”

“The story of “Lil Kev” is one we knew we wanted to develop from the moment it was pitched,” said Jason Harvey, EVP, Strategy and Operations at BET+. “Adding the dynamic cast to support that storytelling made the project the perfect fit for our subscribers because it allows us to better represent the multifaceted experiences across our diverse audience of comedy and animation enthusiasts,” added Harvey.

Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, Jeff Clanagan, Mike Stein, and Candice Wilson Cherry will executive produce for Hartbeat, the studio on the project. Hartbeat’s Tiffany Brown acts as co-executive producer. Matthew Claybrooks and Michael Price serve as both EPs and showrunners. Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico will also executive produce for ShadowMachine. ShadowMachine led animation for the series. Jason Harvey and Rose Catherine Pinkney will executive produce for BET+.

About Hartbeat

Founded by Kevin Hart, Hartbeat is the global, multi-platform entertainment company creating content and experiences at the intersection of comedy and culture - with a mission to keep the world laughing together.  Hartbeat finances, develops, and produces content for all platforms; connects with consumers around the world through events and the company’s expansive distribution network; and co-creates entertainment and builds award-winning IP alongside brands. Hartbeat’s flagship consumer brand, the LOL! Network, reaches audiences across its O&O social media, audio, and OTT partners. Led by an award-winning team, Hartbeat is a valuable partner to the biggest entertainment companies, platforms and brands in the world, driving cultural currency and generating sales, subscriptions, buzz, and conversation with some of the most coveted audiences.

About BET+

BET+ is the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience, with exclusive originals and thousands of TV episodes and movies from the best Black creators. A joint venture between BET and Tyler Perry Studios, BET+ allows users to stream Black culture including hit movies, TV shows, stand-up comedy, award shows, and specials, all in one place. The service from BET Media Group, a subsidiary of Paramount Global, is the official home of Tyler Perry’s film, TV and stage works. The subscription video-on-demand service also provides users with access to original content including Emmy-nominated The Ms. Pat Show from Lee Daniels, Martin: The Reunion, Diarra from Detroit, and College Hill: Celebrity Edition, and exclusive originals from Carl Weber including The Family Business and The Family Business: New Orleans to name a few.  BET+ Essential, the limited-ad tier, provides access to the same great content with minimal ads from trusted advertisers. Visit BET.Plus to learn more and follow @BETPlus on social to join the conversation and get the latest.

About BET MEDIA GROUP:

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.

For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, follow us on social @BET_PR.

Source: Paramount