Full Breakdown
Starz Orders Untitled Black Rodeo Drama as Part of IP-Ownership Strategy
5/1/2026, 3:30:07 PM
Core Event: Series Order and Premise
Starz has ordered an untitled, eight-episode, hour-long family drama set in the Black rodeo scene of Southeast Texas, focusing on three siblings navigating the legacy their mother built and the unfinished business left by their father.
Background & Context: Post-Lionsgate Ownership Drive
After its 2025 spin-off from Lionsgate, Starz has pursued wholly owned scripted series to control costs, target women and underrepresented viewers, and meet a goal of owning half its slate by 2027, beginning with the boxing drama “Fightland.”
Key Figures & Production Team
Kirk A. Moore, known for “Demascus” and “American Crime,” serves as showrunner and is represented by CAA with manager Scott Carr. Executive producers include Mark Johnson, Myki Bajaj, Tony Hernandez, Elise Henderson and Lilly Burns. Starz overseers are Giovanna Desselle, Christina Jokanovich and President of Original Programming Kathryn Busby.
Data & Statistics: Format and Industry Landscape
The series will run eight one-hour episodes. UCLA’s 2025 Diversity Report shows BIPOC actors comprised only 23.1 % of film roles, a 6 % drop from 2023, while 2024 data indicate roughly 80 % of leads in top streaming comedies and dramas were white. The drama adds to Starz’s slate of Black Southern-culture titles, which also includes “P-Valley.”
Why It Matters: Representation and Business Implications
The drama spotlights Black rodeo culture, expanding African-American representation on TV and joining other Starz shows like “P-Valley” that highlight Black Southern life. It also illustrates Starz’s aim to own a larger share of its slate for cost efficiency and brand differentiation.
Official Statements & Responses
CEO Jeff Hirsch said IP ownership delivers sizable cost savings and supports the goal of owning half of Starz’s programming by 2027. President Kathryn Busby called the series bold, original storytelling that blends family drama with cultural spectacle, noting its hip-hop swagger and country-soul tone.
Criticism & Opposition: Industry Diversity Concerns
Industry analysts note that despite projects like this, overall BIPOC representation in film and TV remains low, reflecting broader systemic diversity challenges. UCLA’s report highlighted a 6 % decline in BIPOC film roles from 2023 to 2025.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There’s a large content savings by controlling your IP,” — Jeff Hirsch, CEO, Starz
- “Messy family dynamics, jaw-dropping spectacle and an undeniable swagger — this is the kind of bold, original storytelling we’re proud to own from the ground up.” — Kathryn Busby, President of Original Programming, Starz
- “At the center are three siblings bound by the legacy their mother built and the unfinished business their father left behind. Driven by their own ambitions and drawn into each other’s orbit, alliances shift, relationships tangle and nothing stays private for long.” — Starz press release
- “ The logline for the rodeo drama states, “Infused with hip hop swagger and country soul, the series unfolds in Southeast Texas, where rodeo isn’t just what you do – it’s who you are.” — Series logline
What’s Next: Production Timeline
Development is underway with filming slated for later this year. No title or premiere date has been set, and casting details remain undisclosed. The series will be added to Starz’s upcoming programming slate.
