The biblical story of Ruth and Boaz is coming to Netflix in a modern-day retelling that you won’t want to miss. 

 

Produced by Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin, Ruth & Boaz follows Serayah’s Ruth as she leaves the Atlanta music scene for a new life in Tennessee. While caring for an elderly woman in her new town, Ruth finds an unexpected romance with Tyler Lepley’s Boaz. The deeply moving film, which was directed by Alanna Brown and written by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan, hits Netflix on Friday, September 26.  

 

Ruth & Boaz is anchored in aspirational — yet realistic — Black love, according to Franklin, who says that we need to “get love back in culture.” 

 

“I thought, ‘What about doing something that’s never been done before? What if we update the story of Ruth and Boaz and we do it with Black folks?’” the producer says. “We give a different lens to Black love through this timeless love story. In the movie, Boaz kind of struggles with his past. Through Ruth’s help and understanding, [he learns] who he is and that he is lovable. She comes to a realization that — when it comes to Black love — it starts with, ‘Hey, I gotta love me first. When I love me, I can share that love with you.’’

 

Franklin acknowledges how many people in the Black community who are looking for love often question where their Boaz is. This film shows that the biblical love story is not only attainable for Black audiences, but a beautiful journey of self-discovery as well. 

 

“Black love is hope. Black love is reality,” Franklin explains. “I think that sometimes people think, ‘I’m going to find my Boaz. Where is my Boaz?’ It almost feels mythological and not practical. This movie has that kind of fairy tale element, but it’s very grounded. I want people, when they see this film, to say, ‘Black love is achievable.’” 

 

Lepley echoes Franklin’s sentiments, adding that the film will show that “everybody deserves love where they’re at.” The P-Valley actor wants audiences to learn what love is supposed to look like through Ruth and Boaz’ story. 

 

“I’ve never done a love story,” Lepley shares. “[Making Ruth & Boaz] was better than anything I could have ever imagined. We read these self-help books or watch something on TV and feel like we have to fix ourselves before we find the right person. Sometimes, God shows up in mysterious ways to have love meet you where you’re at. Ruth & Boaz is a feel-good story that allows you to still hope for real love.” 

 

While love may be at the center of the Ruth & Boaz, the heart of the movie comes from its star-studded cast. The Netflix film stars Hollywood legend Phylicia Rashad as Naomi, music icons Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and Jermaine Dupri, as well as BMF’s Walnette Santiago. Lepley says that working with Rashad was a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

 

“You can feel her presence even before she speaks. You know when she walks in the room. It’s like you can feel her greatness,” Lepley gushes about Rashad, adding that the entire cast and crew gave “a piece of their greatness to such a beautiful story.” 

 

“I felt like it was a beautiful full circle moment,” Lepley says about working with the cast. “We all collaborated in a way that everybody’s gonna be proud of.”

 

The stellar casting was made possible by Franklin and Perry’s vision and creative partnership with Netflix, in which they’ll produce faith-based films under a multi-year and multi-picture first-look deal. Franklin says that working with Perry was a natural extension of their years-long friendship. 

 

“We’ve known each other for 20 years. We both are men of God and men of faith,” Franklin shares. “Netflix provided such an opportunity to do what’s never been done. You’ve never seen two brothers come together to form a partnership to produce content that is specifically geared to uplifting and inspiring people. Ruth & Boaz is a phenomenal beginning to this incredible partnership. To use the Bible as a foundation for [the film] brings it all together in a very unique, but very intentional way.”  

 

Ruth & Boaz will be available to stream on Netflix on Friday, September 26, 2025.