Whoopi Goldberg to produce, possibly star in Harlem racial drama

PanARMENIAN.Net - Whoopi Goldberg may be eyeing a return to acting. The View moderator is teaming with Bravo to develop an untitled project for the NBCUniversal-owned cable network, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The modern-day drama centers on a Harlem crime boss who is reunited with her oldest son — whom she thought was dead — after he returns to New York City to run for mayor. Being able to pass as white, he faked his death as a teenager and left New York in order to get a new start on life.

Goldberg is set to executive produce the project alongside her One Ho Productions president Tom Leonardis. She also is eyeing the role of the Harlem crime boss in the drama, though she is not currently attached to star. 44 Blue Productions' Stephanie Drackovitch also will exec produce. Amitabh Klemm (Swing State, The Art of Stalking, Lifeline) will pen the script and exec produce the project, which hails from Universal Cable Productions.

The Bravo drama comes as Goldberg's contract for ABC's The View expires at the end of its current 20th season. Sources stress the Bravo project is in its early stages, and it's unclear if she does ultimately star in it just how that would impact her future on the ABC talker. Goldberg in 2015 signed on to star in ABC's Jermaine Fowler comedy pilot and planned to do both The View and the scripted comedy had that project moved forward.

For Bravo, the Goldberg drama comes as the cable network has found success with its scripted forays that include Marti Noxon's Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce and Odd Mom Out. Next up is Imposters (formerly My So Called Wife), which is set to premiere in February.