ComingSoon Senior Editor Brandon Schreur spoke to Ruth & Boaz producer DeVon Franklin about the new Tyler Perry Netflix movie. Franklin discussed how he and Perry decided to adapt the Book of Ruth, what the future of their Netflix deal looks like, and more.
“Rising Atlanta hip-hop artist Ruth Moably gives up the glamorous life to start anew in rural Tennessee, where she cares for Naomi, her surrogate mother, and meets the man of her dreams,” the logline reads.
Ruth & Boaz will be available to stream on Netflix on September 26, 2025.
Brandon Schreur: This is the first film in a new multi-year creative partnership that you and Tyler Perry have struck up with Netflix to create these faith-based films for the streaming service, which is super exciting. Can you tell me a little bit about why the two of you decided to start with adapting the Book of Ruth? What was it about this chapter of the Bible that made you guys want to turn it into your first movie, as far as this partnership goes?
DeVon Franklin: You know, it was organic. It was a very organic thing. I’ve been studying the Book of Ruth, and it really, to me, says a lot about what it means to be single and for her to be committed to service. As a part of that commitment to service, she was then blessed with the opportunity to find love again. That really spoke to me. We had just signed the deal, Tyler Perry and I, and we were talking about what the first movie should be. I said, ‘Hey, man, I don’t think there’s ever been a modern version of the story of Ruth and Boaz.’ He was like, ‘That’s cool! I don’t think there has been, either!’
We just started from there. I worked with two writers that I had worked with before, Mike Elliot & Cory Tynan. We started developing the story, and it just started to tell itself. So, it was a very organic process. I’m so proud of the movie and how it’s come out. It has just turned out to be the right first perfect film for Tyler Perry and I to do together.
Sure, totally. I was going to say the same thing — everyone knows the big Bible stories like Noah’s Ark, you could have started there. But I thought starting with Ruth was really a cool idea because not everyone knows that story as well. It was really cool to see you guys adapt it in this way.
Thank you, yeah. And that’s the cool part about the movie. Those who know of the story, great! But the movie doesn’t even require you to know the story. You’re going to watch the film, and you might get curious, like, ‘Oh, well, where did this come from?’ And then you start to do your own research. I love that this film can operate in both ways. For those who know it, they come to see it and appreciate it. And those who don’t know it, they discover it along the way.
There are a lot of reasons why I think this movie works, but I think one of the main ones is just you found two such good lead actors. Serayah and Tyler Lepley, they took the reins, and they really led this movie. Can you tell me about the process of casting them, what you thought they’d bring to the table, and how you felt they ultimately did?
Yeah, you know, our casting director was Leah Daniels Butler. She does all my films, and she’s amazing. We just started our process. I believe that if you commit to the process, the process will always take you where you need to be. When it came to casting, we put the word out. We auditioned over one hundred Ruths and over one hundred Boazs.
I had done a TV series with Serayah a few years ago. I reached out to her and said, ‘Hey, you know, could you please come in and audition for this? I think this could be your movie.’ At first, she was like, ‘I don’t want to do another music-driven project.’ I said, ‘I know you don’t! But trust me. This is the one you’re going to want to do.’ She came in, she auditioned, and it was very evident that she had all the things that we were looking for with Ruth.
With Boaz, we were down the road with a handful of different guys for that part. At the eleventh hour, Tyler Lepley sent in a self-tape. When we watched the tape, we said, ‘Welp. There’s Boaz.’ It was unbelievable to see that level of chemistry, just on a self-tape. We brought them in for a chemistry read, and they just knocked it out of the park. From the moment they came on to the screen, we knew they were going to be the right Ruth and Boaz. When you see the film, as you have, you realize that they are.
Sure, I think it totally works. You can tell that chemistry is there. So now that Ruth & Boaz is coming out, is there anything you can say or tease about what comes next for this deal with Netflix, as far as making more of these faith-based movies? Or are you tight-lipped at this point?
I’m tight-lipped at this point. I want to say, but I can’t say yet. But stay tuned. We will be making a major announcement about what our second film will be and who will be in it. We’re very excited about it. Again, I think it will be one of those movies that will uplift and inspire anyone who sees it.
Thanks to DeVon Franklin for taking the time to discuss Ruth & Boaz.
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