Oprah Winfrey hosts L.A. Premiere of OWN’s ‘Greenleaf’ [PHOTOS]

Posted by  | Ray Cornelius

The cast of OWN’s highly anticipated new series “Greenleaf” attended a special advanced screening last night at The Lot in West Hollywood.

The family megachurch series, which features Oprah Winfrey’s first recurring scripted television role in two decades, takes viewers into the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis church where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful. After the screening, Oprah gave welcoming remarks and invited guests to join her at the Memphis BBQ reception that followed.

Attendees included Winfrey, who stars as Mavis McCready and serves as one of the show’s executive producers, along with “Greenleaf” cast members Merle Dandridge (Grace Greenleaf), Keith David (Bishop James Greenleaf), Lynn Whitfield (Lady Mae Greenleaf), Kim Hawthorne (Kerissa Greenleaf), Lamman Rucker (Jacob Greenleaf), Tye White (Kevin Satterlee), Deborah Joy Winans (Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee), Desiree Ross (Sophia Greenleaf),GregAlan Williams (“Mac McCready”), Benjamin Patterson (“Noah Kendall”), Kristin Erickson (“Alexa”), Anna Diop (“Isabel”), Terri Abney (“Faith Greenleaf”), Zachary S. Williams (“William”), Jason Dirden (“Bassie Skanks”), Deji LaRay (“David Nelson”), plus Craig Wright (Executive Producer/Creator), Clement Virgo (Executive Producer/Director), Erik Logan (President, OWN), Kevin Beggs (Chairman, Lionsgate Television), and Sandra Stern (President, Lionsgate Television Group).  Additional attendees include Niecy Nash (Scream Queens), David Oyelowo (Selma) and more.

“Greenleaf” will launch with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, June 22 at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN.  The series will regularly air on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT for the remainder of its 13-episode first season.

Check out the making of the “Greenleaf” theme below featuring “the first lady of gospel music,” Shirley Caesar:

Photo Credits: Mark Davis/Getty Images and Jason Kempin/Getty Images