The end goal with every marriage, but especially in the Black community, we are rooting for happily ever after. After tying the knot, a newly minted couple imagines a life filled with endless adventure, love, communication, and unity. Unfortunately, with life’s twists and turns, marriage is more complicated and complex and divorce is a part of life for many.

Created, written and directed by executive producer Tyler Perry, Divorced Sistas explores the reality of marriages at their breaking point. The second spinoff of his hit series Sistas follows five close friends — LeToya Luckett’s Rasheda, Khadeen Indréa’s Geneva, Porsche Coleman’s Noami, Briana Price’s Tiffany and Jennifer Sears’ Bridgette — as they navigate the highs and lows of love, life, and dating after marriage.

“We keep it real on this show,” Luckett told daytime talk show host Sherri Shepherd. “Everything isn’t always roses and lovely. You don’t always get along, but we’re helping to navigate with each other some of the most traumatic experiences in our life.”

The group of friends lean on each other through the heartbreak and healing that comes with divorce, marriage, dating, and conflict resolution in relationships. While the friends are facing a lot of outside pressures from life, their biggest challenge is said to come from within their inner circle. The show teases a major test that threatens their closeness and makes them question their loyalty, character and healthy friendships.

Coleman described the show as “hot and spicy,” as it also promised to explore all the different nuances of single life after marriage. With RonReaco Lee as William, DeVon Franklin as Pastor Jefferson, Donovan Christie Jr. as Franklin and Robert Christopher Riley as Javon, there’s no shortage of handsome men in the cast. 

However, the male leads are there for more than just their looks. They are integral to the development of each character’s revolution. Franklin, who is stepping into a rare acting role with the show, plays a pastor that’s more connected to his congregation than his marriage to Rasheda, while Lee’s mask of a faithful, devoted and loving father and husband hides the growing distance in his relationship with Geneva.

Black Love doc alums – and divorcees – Letoya Luckett and DeVon Franklin actually filmed some content with Black Love showing off their acting chops and a little of what the series Divorced Sistas has to offer. If you missed it, click here. Audiences definitely had to do a double take!

In both of their roles, Christie Jr. and Riley add salt to unhealed wounds and relationship trauma. Christie Jr. is portraying Naomi’s ex that moved on fast and doesn’t hesitate to rub it in her face, while Riley’s a blast from one of the ladies’ past with unfinished business bringing a bunch of drama.

Despite all of the drama, Luckett told Shepherd that the show is about the bond of sisters, who come together to help each other heal.

“It’s about sisterhood, but it’s about just coming together and showing up for each other and that’s what our characters do,” Luckett said. 

Echoing Luckett’s sentiments, Perry described the new series as a “story of resilience and the power of female friendship.”

“It is my hope that audiences will fall in love with these dynamic characters, and that they will be able to explore their own personal truths about healing and love in the process,” he said in a statement about the show. Well, since the premiere after the BET Awards on June 9th,  audiences have spoken! From the drama to the casting and performances, social media is buzzing. 

Black Love spoke with Khadeen and DeVon about their roles on Divorced Sistas:

Black Love: What was it about this project that drew you to it? What would you say makes it special?

Khadeen: I have a soft spot for stories that talk about sisterhood, and how together—women are able to navigate life with each other’s support. There’s something to be said about the connection and space that we hold for each other to feel, live, exist, heal, and grow. This project was particularly special because I felt that it encompassed the nuances that women in general can face during relationships, marriages, and divorces. I was able to look at this project and not judge each character for their journey, but instead empathize with their humanness.

DeVon: What drew me in, first and foremost, was Tyler Perry. Tyler is my brother — we’ve known each other for nearly 20 years, and I’ve always admired his work. So when he offered me the chance to work with him in front of the camera, I jumped at it. I binge-read the entire series in a weekend, and the role of Pastor Jefferson really spoke to me. Usually, pastors in film and TV can feel one-dimensional, but Tyler wrote Pastor Jefferson with depth — he’s navigating marriage, ministry, and manhood all at once. It was that combination — the role and working with Tyler — that made it an easy YES.

BL: What was it like working with your co-stars on this project?

Khadeen: Working with my incredible co-stars has to be the highlight of this entire process for me. From day one, the chemistry was undeniable and it is evident on screen. In order to “play “sisterhood, there needs to be a level of real connection that can’t be curated. Instead, since day one, we all exist within a space of mutual respect for one another as creatives—as well as feeling an immense amount of gratitude for this opportunity. That I believe, will give us continued longevity within our working and personal relationship.

DeVon: My co-stars are truly the best and most talented in the business. This was my first time acting in a TV series, and they made it an unforgettable experience. They were so professional, supportive, and created a space where we encouraged each other, ran lines together, and built real community. I was the newbie, but they never made me feel that way — they welcomed me like I’d been doing this all along. I felt honored to work alongside such talented artists, and I believe the camaraderie we had off-screen is a big reason the show turned out so well.

BL: What do you hope resonates with audiences about the show?

Khadeen: Although Divorced Sistas is scripted, we all know someone who has been in a similar situation as each character. No matter where one may fall in the spectrum, my hope is that women feel seen. I also hope that folks look at how they show up for their own friends in real life. What kind of friend are you? Who can you lean on in time of need? Who do you call on for support? Are you equally available if a friend needs support? Do you have a friend in your life who truly cares about you and holds you accountable? I think a show like Divorced Sistas can call for an introspective look at one’s self and those in your sister circle.

DeVon: A great show needs strong characters and compelling storylines — and Divorced Sistas has both. When people are yelling at the screen or getting mad at the characters, that means it’s working — they’re invested. I want viewers to feel something: anger, joy, sadness. If a show can take you through a range of emotions, that’s when you know you’ve got something special. I believe Divorced Sistas can do that — and I hope it does in a big way.

BL: What’s one thing you want the audience to take from your character?

Khadeen: I would implore the audience to “Walk in Your Truth”— as hard as it may be at times. Once you push past the discomfort, there is room for clarity, healing and the reclamation of happiness. Geneva has a difficult time with this because she is overly consumed by her reputation and how things appear. Facades are the fastest way to false sense of contentment. You deserve more.

DeVon: As human beings, we’re not just light or dark — we’re complex. That’s what I want people to understand about Pastor Jefferson, to see him as a man, not just a faith leader. He pastors a major church, but too often faith leaders are seen as titles, not people. My goal was to humanize him. I want viewers to see his complexity and his humanity — that like all of us, he has a shadow side. At the start of the series, he’s off his path, and the journey is about how he finds his way back. If audiences walk away with a deeper sense of both complexity and humanity, I’ve done my job and done it well!

BL: How does it feel to step into this role after dreaming this dream for so long?

Khadeen: I feel like I’m finally where I’m supposed to be. God gave me the green light when He saw fit for me. After graduating from school with a Masters in Speech Communication, Rhetoric and Performance Studies, I invested several years of my life into growing my family. Getting small acting gigs along the way, let me know that I was on the right path, so when Mr. Perry presented me with the opportunity to read for the role of Geneva, I felt incredibly blessed! The joy I felt while filming at TPS was overwhelming. I locked back in with my acting coach Lelund Durond and prepared vigorously for the role, as I “became” Geneva. My gratitude for the love and support I received from my husband, sons, family, and supporters has left me floating.

BL: Your character is so different from you! How is it to play someone who is the opposite of who you are? How did you find common ground with your character?

Khadeen: I don’t necessarily think it’s about finding a common ground, but it’s more about respecting my character for who she is. One fundamental rule in acting is that you never judge your character. All of her flaws and strengths are nuances that I use to build out who Geneva is layer by layer. I can relate to Geneva in my younger years though. I was hyper aware and sensitive about what people thought of me. I, at times, made decisions based on that versus what my gut and heart were telling me to do. I, now in more recent years, have been able to truly eradicate the confines that others’ perceptions and opinions of me had over my life. I also learned that in order to grow, I needed to surround myself or take advice from people who are already in positions that I aspire to be in. Becoming Geneva has truly stretched me as an artist, and I have been loving every minute.

BL: What’s something that you learned from your character?

Khadeen: Through Geneva, I’ve learned even more so now than ever that we are all human. We all make choices— some good,  some not so good, but either way we should take ownership over our truth. It is also noble to take accountability and acknowledge where you may have been at fault. Where acting is “living truthfully in an imaginary circumstance”,  I’ve learned and implore people to live truthfully in REAL LIFE. It can be the most freeing thing— for you and for others in your orbit.

BL: You and your family are in the spotlight and with that comes a lot of thoughts from outside people. I think one thing your character grapples with is the perception of others and making sure to uphold a graceful demeanor. If you could talk to her, what advice would you give her about ignoring outside forces and putting herself first?

Khadeen: As I mentioned, I think there is so much freedom in not putting too much weight on others’ perception of you. When you understand that ultimately people respond or give advice based on their own life experiences, you start to become more selective about the voices you allow to have agency over your time and mental space. You also learn not to take things personally after that as well too.

BL: Has your role as Pastor Jefferson taught you anything about yourself as a husband?

DeVon: As a soon-to-be husband, this role reminded me of the constant dance between being fully committed to your calling and fully committed to your wife. Both require time, energy, and intentionality — and both can thrive. Playing this character reinforced that no matter how busy I get, my wife should never feel like she’s taking a back seat to my purpose. Prioritize your calling, yes — but prioritize your wife, too.

BL: What is it like working with LeToya specifically as your wife on the show?

DeVon: I love my sister LeToya dearly — we’ve been friends for years, and I even performed her wedding ceremony last year to her wonderful husband, Taleo. So when it worked out for us to work together, I was thrilled. There was no one else I wanted in this role more, and I’m grateful Tyler made it happen. Our on-screen chemistry is real, even in the tough scenes, because we genuinely care for each other. LeToya brought her A-game, and it pushed me to level all the way up! As close as we are, once Tyler yelled “action,” she let loose — and I had to keep up! She is a force to be reckoned with! And I don’t think people realize how incredible of an actress she is, this show gives her her just due! It was such a blessing to share screen time with her, especially with roles this demanding.

Divorced Sistas premiered on BET on Monday, June 9, following the 2025 BET Awards. The series is available for streaming on BET+.