'Greenleaf' Season 5: Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about the OWN show

The critically praised hit megachurch drama returns for its final season on June 23. But before it comes to your screens, here is everything you need to know about it
PUBLISHED JUN 18, 2020
(OWN)
(OWN)

The Greenleaf family is in a crisis after a church takeover and everything around seems dismal. The final installment of OWN's 'Greenleaf' is returning to television and will bring the stories of the scandalous and spiritual lives of the Greenleaf family.   

To say that 'Greenleaf' is a favorite among OWN viewers is not even cutting it. Since its premiere in 2016, the show has become the most popular scripted show among Black viewers, as per multiple reports and averaged 1.1 million viewers in Season 4. The series has also received praise from fans and critics alike for their treatment of the Black Lives Matter movement and for portraying spiritual characters in the LGBTQ community. 

The critically praised hit megachurch drama returns for its final season on June 23. But before it comes to your screens, here is everything you need to know about it. 

Release date

'Greenleaf' returns with Season 5 on June 23, 2020. 

Plot

'Greenleaf' follows the "unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful". In the final season of the show, the family will try to save their church from Bob Whitmore and Harmony and Hope Ministries. But it is not going to be an easy feat in the face of all these hurdles. 

According to the synopsis for the upcoming season, "The Greenleafs attempt to maintain a united front in the face of losing their church to Bob Whitmore and Harmony and Hope Ministries, but secrets past and present create what could be fatal fractures in the family's fragile foundation. The Bishop continues working to mend his rift with Lady Mae while, day by day, Harmony and Hope’s grip on Calvary tighten."

Cast

Keith David as Bishop James Greenleaf

Keith David performs during the 2019 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater on December 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

As Bishop James Greenleaf, David plays the role of the Greenleaf family patriarch and leader of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries since 2016. The actor is known for his work as King in 'Platoon' and Childs in 'The Thing', Frank in 'They Live', Abu 'Imam' al-Walid in 'Pitch Black' and the sequel 'The Chronicles of Riddick', General Kimsey in 'Armageddon' and Big Tim in 'Requiem for a Dream'. 

Lynn Whitfield as 'First Lady' Daisy Mae Greenleaf

Lynn Whitfield attends the 51st NAACP Image Awards non-televised Awards Dinner on February 21, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Getty Images)

 As the villainous Lady Mae, Whitfield plays the role of Bishop Greenleaf's wife, First Lady of Calvary Fellowship and the family matriarch.

The actress won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance as Josephine Baker in 'The Josephine Baker Story'. She is also the recipient of seven NAACP Image Awards through her career. 

Other performances such as 'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate', 'Gone Fishin''. 'Madea's Family Reunion' and 'The Women' are fondly remembered. 

Merle Dandridge as Pastor Grace 'Gigi' Greenleaf

Merle Dandridge attends the 51st NAACP Image Awards, Presented by BET, at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 22, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Getty Images)

In the role of Grace, Dandridge plays the Greenleaf couple's eldest child who returns home after 20 years of desertion. 

The actress is widely known for her role as Alyx Vance in the 'Half-Life' series. Dandridge is known for her recurring role on television series such as 'Sons of Anarchy' and 'The Night Shift'. Dandridge has also performed in several stage productions, including Broadway musicals 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Spamalot', and 'Rent'. 

Director

Craig Wright is a former minister, playwright, television producer and writer known for writing for shows including 'Six Feet Under' and 'Lost' and creating the television series 'Dirty Sexy Money' along with 'Greenleaf'. Wright is currently co-writing 'Tom and Jerry', due for release on March 5, 2021.

"The fifth season of Greenleaf brings to a close the first chapter in an ongoing conversation I’m blessed to still be having with Ms Winfrey about faith, family, feminism, community, and how they all intersect in the past, present and future," creator Wright was reported saying. 

'Greenleaf' is produced for OWN by Lionsgate in association with Harpo Films and Pine City. Oprah Winfrey, Wright, Clement Virgo, and Kriss Turner Towner serve as executive producers.

Trailers

You can watch the trailer for the final installment, Season 5 of 'Greenleaf' here:



 

Where to watch

The fifth and final season of 'Greenleaf' premieres on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at 9 pm ET on OWN. You can stream the show on OWN.com. 

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