'Greenleaf' Is the Most Watched New Cable Show of Summer

OWN's hit drama series "Greenleaf" is the most watched new cable show of the summer, and year to date is the #1 original cable series on Wednesday nights for women. The series delivered record numbers with its season finale last night (8/31) with 2.4 million viewers and a 1.84 women 25-54 rating making it the network's most watched and highest rated Wednesday telecast in network history.

The success of "Greenleaf" along with Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have Nots" gave OWN its highest monthly primetime rank in network history in August (#12) among women 25-54, while OWN's +11% prime growth over last August made it the fastest growing Top 15 Network on ad-supported cable. The network also delivered two of the summer's Top 3 scripted series on ad-supported cable for women with "Greenleaf" and "The Haves and the Have Nots."

'Greenleaf' Premiere Date Set for June 21 on OWN

Oprah Winfrey and Lynn Whitfield in Greenleaf

Oprah Winfrey Network unveiled a first look at its new original drama series Greenleaf from Lionsgate TV and Emmy-nominated writer/producer Craig Wright (Lost, Six Feet Under, Brothers and Sisters). Featuring Oprah Winfrey’s first recurring scripted television role in two decades, the family drama set against the backdrop of a sprawling Memphis megachurch will launch with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, June 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Wednesday, June 22 at 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.

Greenleaf centers on the journey of estranged daughter and disillusioned preacher Grace Greenleaf (Merle Dandridge, The Night Shift) who has returned home after 20 years on the occasion of the mysterious death of her sister, Faith. As she reenters the world of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, the Memphis megachurch run by her powerful parents Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David, Enlisted and Community) and Lady Mae Greenleaf (Lynn Whitfield, The Josephine Baker Story), it becomes evident that things are not as virtuous as they seem and that the family’s outward display of faith hides sin and misdeeds.

In the season premiere, directed by executive producer Clement Virgo (The Book of Negroes), Grace and her teenage daughter Sophia (Desiree Ross, Falling Skies) are warmly welcomed home by Grace’s father, Bishop Greenleaf. Sparked by Grace’s return to Memphis, tensions quickly rise. At a family dinner in the Greenleaf mansion, Grace’s mother is cold and hostile. Her sister-in-law Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne, Rake) questions her about her faith and sister Charity (Deborah Joy Winans, Whitney) erupts with jealousy at the suggestion that Grace might start preaching at Calvary.

Later, Grace’s Aunt Mavis (Oprah Winfrey, Selma) discusses with her the circumstances of Faith’s death and reveals some shocking information about Grace’s Uncle “Mac” (Gregory Alan Williams, Terminator Genisys). Mavis is still estranged from the Greenleaf family and it becomes evident that she intends to use Grace to sow the seeds of its destruction

Greenleaf stars Merle Dandridge as Grace Greenleaf; Keith David as Bishop James Greenleaf; Lynn Whitfield as Lady Mae Greenleaf; Kim Hawthorne as Kerissa Greenleaf; Lamman Rucker as Jacob Greenleaf; Tye White as Kevin Satterlee; Deborah Joy Winans as Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee; Desiree Ross as Sophia; and Oprah Winfrey in a recurring role as Mavis McCready. Greenleaf is produced for OWN by Lionsgate Television. Executive producers are Oprah Winfrey, Craig Wright and Clement Virgo.

Watch a sneak peek below.