An advance screening of the new drama, “Shots Fired” was held at the Newseum in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, March 7. “Shots Fired” is a 10-part mystery that takes a deep dive into the dangerous aftermath of two racially charged shootings by police in a small southern town. Series stars Sanaa Lathan, Richard Dreyfuss, Stephan James, Mack Wilds and show creator/executive producer Reggie Rock Bythewood attended the screening.
Approximately 500 showed up for the event. Tisha Lewis, a FOX 5 DC reporter, welcomed the audience to the screening. Tony Dixon, president of the DC chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) gave remarks and tallked about the important community work that his organization does through local chapters.
Special guests included April Ryan, White House Correspondent for AURN (and Q&A moderator for the evening) political strategist Angela Rye, former Bernie Sanders spokeswoman Symone Sanders, tv political analyst Jamal Simmons, retired NFL athlete Clinton Portis, singers Dante Jordan and David Chance from the R&B group Ruff Endz, singer/songwriter Wes Felton, journalist/tv host Jawn Murray, radio host and tv commentator Mo Ivory, attorney/tv personality Kendell Renee Kelly and many more.
During the Q&A session after the screening, the cast shared their experience filming the show and the impact that it had on them. Mack Wilds recalls the emotion that he felt on set after the shooting of Philando Castile in Charlotte, where the show was filmed. Wilds said he walked into his trailer and saw the police uniform he would be wearing and was moved to tears. Sanaa Lathan said she was still coming to terms with everything that took place in the film, its connection to current events and its impact on her life.
Lead actor, Stephan James spoke about being able to talk with former Attorney General, Eric Holder, about the film and how Holder inspired him. “He was so helpful to me in the beginning stages of creating this character. He’s had so much success in his career, and Preston Terry [James’s character] is on that same trajectory,” said James. Academy Award winner, Richard Dreyfuss, who will first appear in the second hour of “Shots Fired,” said of the show, “Human frailty makes it so compelling and horrifying…”
ShotsFired premieres March 22 at 8/7c on FOX. For a sneak peek, check out the trailer below.
© 2017 Sarah Hearn, All rights reserved. All photos by Mike James for FOX
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