The Oval (TV series)

The Oval is an American political drama soap opera created, executive produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry, which premiered on October 23, 2019, on BET. The series chronicles the lives of a family placed in the White House by people of power, while also highlighting the personal side and everyday lives of the staff who run its inner workings.
A spin-off, Ruthless, premiered on BET+ on March 19, 2020.

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Cast and characters

Main

Ed Quinn as Hunter Franklin, the President of the United States
Kron Moore as Victoria Franklin, the First Lady of the United States
Paige Hurd as Gayle Franklin, Hunter and Victoria's daughter
Daniel Croix Henderson as Jason Franklin, Hunter and Victoria's son
Javon Johnson as Richard Hallsen, the White House Butler
Ptosha Storey as Nancy Hallsen, the Butler's wife
Vaughn W. Hebron as Bartholomew "Barry" Hallsen, Richard and Nancy's son
Teesha Renee as Sharon Barry's former girlfriend and Kareem's current girlfriend
Lodric Collins as Donald Winthrop, White House Chief of Staff
Ciera Payton as Lilly Winthrop, Donald's wife and a fashion designer
Taja V. Simpson as Priscilla Owens, White House residence staff supervisor
Walter Fauntleroy as Sam Owen, Secret Service agent and Priscilla's Husband
Brad Benedict as Kyle Flint, Secret Service agent
Travis Cure as Bobby, Lilly's friend
Matthew Law as Kareem Richardson, local pharmacy owner
Bill Barrett as Max Carter, Secret Service agent
Derek A. Dixon as Dale, a worker at Kareem's pharmacy and friend of Sharon
Nick Barrotta as Allan Maxwell, Donald's assistant and Ellie's ex-boyfriend
Kaye Singleton as Simone Winter, the Second lady
Russell Thomas as Eli Winter, the Vice President of the United States
Nelson Estevez as Alonzo White, Secret Service agent

Recurring

Melissa L. Williams as Ruth Truesdale/Denise Truesdale
Russell Charles Pitts as Picky/Leon, Gayle's boyfriend
Maurii Davenport as Lindsay Yuma, Secret service agent
Ashley Monique Harper as Jean Peterson, a White House maid
Yvonne Senat Jones as Tally, Ruth's friend
Natasha Ward as Ellie Lyles, the current White House press secretary
Gillian White as Diane Wilmont, the former White House press secretary
Janee Michelle as Maude, Victoria's mother
Donna Feldman as Dr. Meadows
Ken Lawson as Officer Driver
Ariel D. King as Lena

''Ruthless'' crossover guest appearances

Blue Kimble as Andrew
Lenny Thomas as Dikhan
Joshua Adeyeye as Manny
Matt Cedeño as 'The Highest'
Baadja-Lyne Odums as Elder Mother Marva
Colin McCalla as River

Production

On February 23, 2021, BET renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on October 12, 2021.
On March 22, 2022, BET renewed the series for a fourth season, which premiered on October 11, 2022.
On September 15, 2023, BET renewed the series for a fifth season, which premiered on October 17, 2023.
On April 16, 2024, the series was renewed for a sixth season, which premiered on January 7, 2025.

Spin-off

On November 7, 2019, it was announced that BET+ ordered Ruthless, a spin-off starring Melissa L. Williams as Ruth Truesdale about a religious sex cult. The series premiered on March 19, 2020.

Derek Dixon allegations

On June 17, 2025, The Oval actor Derek Dixon filed a sexual assault and battery lawsuit against Tyler Perry which alleged that Perry had engaged in numerous acts of unwanted sexual advances against him since 2021. In his lawsuit, Dixon stated that Perry had "been using his power and influence to molest, abuse, and sexually assault impressionable and vulnerable employees and actors who look to him for guidance and mentorship while pursuing their dreams." Dixon had previously filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint in 2024 which alleged sexual harassment by Perry, and afterwards quit The Oval when the complaint didn't result in any action from the show's producers.