You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Netflix and you see a movie poster that just looks right? That’s basically the vibe Ruth and Boaz has been giving off since it dropped. But honestly, even though everyone is talking about the romance, there’s a lot of confusion about who is actually in this thing and how they pulled it off.
It’s not just another Bible story.
It’s a Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin production, which means the Ruth and Boaz cast is packed with heavy hitters, R&B legends, and some faces you definitely recognize from your favorite Sunday night dramas. If you’re trying to figure out why the guy playing Boaz looks so familiar or if that was really Babyface making a cameo, I've got you covered.
The Big Names Leading the Way
Let’s start with the leads. Serayah (you probably remember her as Tiana from Empire) plays Ruth Moably. In this modern version, she’s not just a woman gleaning in a field; she’s a rising hip-hop artist from Atlanta who basically loses everything and flees to rural Tennessee. It’s a huge pivot for her, and she actually did her own singing for the film.
Then you’ve got Tyler Lepley playing Boaz.
If you’ve watched P-Valley or Harlem, you already know he has that "leading man" energy. In this movie, Boaz isn't just a wealthy landowner; he’s a vineyard owner who’s a bit of a loner until Ruth shows up. The chemistry between these two is wild, and it turns out they actually filmed their chemistry read over Zoom while they were both on the set of a different horror movie called Goons. Talk about multitasking.
The Iconic Phylicia Rashad
Honestly, Phylicia Rashad as Naomi is the glue. We’re talking about a Tony Award winner and a literal TV legend. She plays the mother-in-law role with so much weight and grief, but also a bit of that "tough love" she’s known for. In this adaptation, Naomi is the one who frames the whole story. She starts out as this reluctant narrator who didn't even like Ruth at first. Watching her character arc from bitterness to hope is probably the best part of the movie.
A Cast Full of Musical Royalty
One thing that makes the Ruth and Boaz cast stand out from your typical faith-based drama is the sheer amount of musical talent. This wasn't an accident. Since the character of Ruth is a singer, the producers brought in real industry titans to fill out the world.
- Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds: He doesn't just show up for a five-second walk-on. He actually wrote an original song for the movie that Serayah performs.
- Jermaine Dupri: Seeing JD on screen in a scripted movie is always a trip, but he fits right into the Atlanta-to-Tennessee vibe.
- Lecrae: The reach of the "Christian hip-hop" king continues. He plays a character named Sauce.
- Yung Joc: Yep, he’s in here too, playing the "Eternity MC."
It’s a weird mix on paper, right? But somehow, Alanna Brown (the director) makes it work. It feels like a real community rather than a bunch of celebrities shoved into a room.
The Supporting Players You Need to Know
While the leads get the posters, the supporting Ruth and Boaz cast members are the ones who make the small-town Tennessee setting feel lived-in.
Gregory Alan Williams plays Eli. You’ve seen him in a million things—Remember the Titans, Greenleaf—he’s one of those "that guy" actors who is always solid. Then there's Chaundre Hall-Broomfield as Marlon. He’s the catalyst for the whole plot, playing Naomi’s son and Ruth’s late boyfriend.
Nijah Brenea and Walnette Santiago (also credited as Walnette Carrington) round out the cast. They play Breana and Lena, respectively. They represent the local community that either judges Ruth or welcomes her, and they add a lot of the texture to the vineyard scenes.
Why This Specific Cast Matters
Most people get wrong the idea that this is just a "church movie."
It’s really not.
DeVon Franklin has talked about how he wanted a "modern version" that featured people of color because, surprisingly, that hasn't really happened on this scale before. By casting someone like Tyler Lepley, who has a huge fan base from more "gritty" shows, they managed to pull in an audience that might not usually watch a biblical retelling.
The production was handled by Tyler Perry Studios, and Serayah has mentioned in interviews how cool it was to finally use her "TP tap card" to get onto the lot in Atlanta. It’s a big deal for Black Hollywood to take these ancient stories and give them a 2025/2026 gloss.
Real Life Overlaps
It’s also kinda interesting to look at the actors' personal lives during filming.
- Serayah was actually pregnant with her first child (with rapper Joey Bada$$) during the rollout of this film.
- Tyler Lepley got engaged to Miracle Watts right around the time the movie was hitting its peak.
That real-world "romance is in the air" energy definitely translated to the screen.
How to Dive Deeper Into the Story
If you’ve watched the movie and you’re obsessed with the Ruth and Boaz cast, there are a few things you should do next to get the full experience.
First, check out the soundtrack. Since Babyface was involved, the music is actually high-quality R&B, not just generic background noise. Serayah’s vocals are legit.
Second, if you're into the "theatrical" side of things, look up the Sight & Sound Theatres production of Ruth. It’s a completely different vibe—way more traditional and grand—but it’s a cool comparison to see how the Netflix version modernized the same beats.
Lastly, pay attention to the director, Alanna Brown. She’s being praised for making a Tyler Perry-produced film feel a bit more "grounded" and cinematic than his usual stuff.
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Go follow the leads on Instagram if you want the behind-the-scenes "making of" clips. They posted a lot of footage from the Tennessee vineyard sets that didn't make it into the final cut. It’s pretty clear the cast actually got along, which is probably why that chemistry feels so real.
Practical Next Steps:
- Stream the Soundtrack: Look for "Ruth's Song" produced by Babyface on Spotify or Apple Music.
- Watch the Chemistry: Re-watch the first meeting at the vineyard; knowing they did that scene's prep over Zoom makes the timing even more impressive.
- Compare Retellings: If you want a more literal version, the 2006 Sight & Sound DVD is the gold standard for stage versions.