Netflix Announces New Tyler Perry Series As Fans React

Tyler Perry stands as one of the most prolific filmmakers and TV producers working today. In recent years, he’s developed a wide-reaching professional relationship with Netflix. Now, the streaming giant has announced a brand-new series from Perry, “Where There’s Smoke.” While there is no premiere date, Netflix has released filming information and confirmed the cast, which features a “Survivor” alum. 

The official Netflix X account confirmed that a brand-new series from Perry, called "Where There's Smoke," had recently entered production and would consist of 16 episodes. Regarding the show's premise, Netflix said, "[Where There's Smoke will] Follow a crew of firefighters as they battle high-stakes emergencies... and the personal fires that await them at home."

The social media post also confirmed the cast, featuring Tyler Lepley, Mike Merrill, Da’Vinchi, Eltony Williams, Brock O’Hurn, Joe Hunter [Survivor 50], Karen Obilom, Brittany S. Hall, Mariah Goodie, Jordan Rodriguez, and Judi Moon.

According to Deadline, Perry will write, direct, and produce the upcoming series, which comes from his own Tyler Perry Studios. Angi Bones and Tony Strickland are also production partners for "Where There's Smoke."

Perry entered into a multi-year creative partnership with Netflix in 2023 after launching successful films with the streamer, such as "A Fall From Grace," "A Madea Homecoming," and "A Jazzman's Blues." Some of his movies and shows since signing the deal include "The Six Triple Eight," "Mea Culpa," and "Beauty In Black."

Regarding the latter of the three, Netflix announced in December 2025 that the series would return for a third season. The news came ahead of the premiere for the second part of the show's sophomore season. Season three of "Beauty in Black" will also be its final after premiering in October 2024.

So far, fans have generally positive reactions to the news of Perry's "Where There's Smoke" series, with many offering humorous takes and comparing the filmmaker to Ryan Murphy.

One person wrote, "So 911 but with a Tyler Perry spin on it." Someone joked about the short production timeline on Perry's shows, saying, "The entire series will be completed before the close of business Friday."

A different X user stated, "Firehouse drama with Tyler Perry intensity, yeah, this is about to trend." Another social media user said, "Tyler Perry really saw every other profession get a drama at said, 'firefighters deserve 16 episodes of chaps too.'"

Finally, someone who doesn't have high hopes for "Where There's Smoke" wrote, "Another predictable Tyler Perry melodrama dressed up as firefighter action. Why does he keep recycling the same tired soap-opera tropes instead of giving us something fresh?"

The announcement of Perry's "Where There's Smoke" comes after the prolific filmmaker has been accused of varying degrees of sexual assault against two men with whom he had professional relationships. According to PEOPLE, the first lawsuit was filed by actor Derek Dixon, and he's suing for a reported $260 million. Dixon worked with Perry on shows like "The Oval" and "Ruthless."

Dixon claims Perry fostered "a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic" between the two of them. This came after they initially met in 2019. Perry's legal team released a statement following the lawsuit, saying, "Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail."

The second lawsuit, according to The Guardian, came from another actor, Mario Rodriguez, who appeared in Perry's 2016 comedy, "Boo! A Madea Halloween." In this case, launched in December 2025, the accuser claims Perry used his position in Hollywood to make sexual advances toward him. Rodriguez also claims movie studio Lionsgate ignored his reporting of the alleged acts.

TMZ has obtained court documents in the lawsuit against Perry and Rodriguez. In them, he asserts that the claim is merely a money grab. Perry also stated in the documents that the accusations about him making unwanted sexual advances toward the actor "have no basis in fact or law and no merit."

Perry also claims in the filing that Rodriguez requested financial assistance from him after appearing in "Boo!" and that once he stopped complying, he created the allegations of sexual assault. Perry wants the lawsuit dismissed.