Tyler Perry's Ruth & Boaz: A Modern Take On Biblical Love Set for Netflix

Jul 15

Tyler Perry reimagines the biblical love story of Ruth and Boaz in a small-town Southern setting for Netflix. Faith, romance, and redemption take center stage.

By EEW Magazine Online Entertainment Editors

In a bold and heartwarming retelling of one of Scripture’s most beloved romances, Tyler Perry is bringing Ruth & Boaz—a modern adaptation of the biblical story of faith, redemption, and divine connection—to Netflix this fall.

Announced during the 2025 Essence Festival in New Orleans, the film is set to premiere globally on September 26, 2025, and marks a fresh venture in faith-forward filmmaking under a new multi-year Netflix deal between Perry, producer DeVon Franklin, and Tyler Perry Studios. The project was previously teased under the working title R&B.

Directed by Alanna Brown (Trees of Peace), Ruth & Boaz moves the ancient story from Bethlehem to modern-day rural Tennessee, where themes of grief, grace, and God-orchestrated love unfold.

A Story Rooted in Redemption

The plot follows Ruth, a rising Atlanta music star who walks away from a promising record deal after a tragic act of revenge upends her life. Seeking peace, she relocates to the small town of Oakhaven with her late boyfriend’s mother, Naomi. There, Ruth finds herself laboring in a local vineyard owned by Bo “Boaz” Astra—a charming and compassionate man instantly drawn to her strength and spirit. As romance blossoms, Ruth must confront her past and rediscover her faith in both God and love.

The film runs 1 hour and 31 minutes and centers on powerful themes familiar to many believers: healing after heartbreak, the importance of spiritual resilience, and the unexpected ways God brings beauty from ashes.

Star-Studded Cast with Faith & Flair

The lead role of Ruth is played by Empire actress Serayah, while Tyler Lepley (The Haves and the Have Nots) portrays Boaz. Phylicia Rashad, revered for her role on The Cosby Show, takes on the maternal figure of Naomi, anchoring the cast with seasoned grace.

Supporting cast members include Walnette Santiago, Nijah Brenea, James Lee Thomas, and Gregory Alan Williams. The film is also sprinkled with music world cameos—Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Jermaine Dupri, Lecrae, and Yung Joc—adding cultural texture and Southern flair. Faith-based roles include Darryl W. Handy as Pastor Charles and Antwan Mills as Detective Lansing.

Creative Team Behind the Scenes

Written by Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar) and Cory Tynan (Play’d), the film is produced by Perry and DeVon Franklin, whose previous faith-based films include Miracles from Heaven and Breakthrough. Other producers include Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, and Chad Tennies, with music by Kurt Farquhar and cinematography by Michael Negrin. Filming wrapped in Georgia between October and November 2024.

This marks the first offering from Perry and Franklin’s first-look deal with Netflix focused on faith-based storytelling.

“I’m so excited to be working with DeVon on this and future projects,” said Perry. “In a world growing colder every day, we both share the common goal of wanting to spread some good. And there’s no better place than Netflix.”

Franklin added: “Tyler and I have been great friends for over 15 years, so when he called me to team up on movies that can uplift the human spirit, I jumped at the chance. We couldn’t have a better partner than Netflix to help us inspire the world.”

Although a full trailer has yet to be released, a romantic teaser clip featuring Ruth and Boaz has already generated buzz online. The film joins Perry’s expanding 2025 Netflix lineup, including Madea’s Destination Wedding, and showcases his continued investment in faith-driven, culturally resonant storytelling.

With Ruth & Boaz, Perry taps into a rich biblical legacy to tell a story that resonates deeply with women of faith: one of loyalty, hope after loss, and the sovereignty of God in orchestrating new beginnings. In a time when many feel weary from life’s trials, this film promises a reminder that divine love stories are still being written—even in the vineyards of small-town Tennessee.

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