The Beauty in Black universe is expanding.

Netflix has officially greenlit a spin-off series from Tyler Perry’s breakout hit, and the news has left fans stunned—not because of the announcement itself, but because of who it centers on.

Meet Raven Shaw, a supporting character who first appeared halfway through Season 2 as the whip-smart, steel-nerved cousin of Kimmie Shaw. Played by rising star Demi Singleton, Raven quickly became a fan favorite for her unapologetic boldness and unpredictable energy. Now, she’s stepping into the spotlight as the lead of a brand-new solo series titled “Shadows of Shaw.”

“It was supposed to be a three-episode arc,” showrunner Geneva Rhys admitted. “But Demi brought such complexity to Raven that we started rewriting the moment she walked off set. By the finale, we knew—this wasn’t a side story. This was a legacy.”

What Is “Shadows of Shaw” About?

Set years before the events of Beauty in Black, the spin-off will trace Raven’s journey from her troubled teenage years in New Orleans through her rise as a covert political strategist in Atlanta. The series promises to reveal previously untold secrets about the Shaw family and their buried past, including:

A forbidden alliance with a rival family

A mysterious fire that shaped Raven’s trauma

The truth behind the “original Shaw fortune” that was never mentioned in Beauty in Black — until now

“This is the darker, grittier origin story of someone we all thought we understood,” Rhys explained. “And trust me—Raven’s silence has never meant weakness. It’s meant she’s watching.”

The Actress Behind the Breakout

At just 18, Demi Singleton is already drawing comparisons to Zendaya and Viola Davis for her depth, screen presence, and control. Her performance in Season 2 was described by critics as “magnetic” and “impossibly nuanced.”

In a statement to TV Watch Weekly, Singleton shared:

“Raven carries a fire I’ve never had the chance to play before. She’s brilliant, dangerous, and heartbreakingly human. I’m honored and terrified to bring her full story to life.”

Production & Release Timeline

“Shadows of Shaw” is set to begin filming in January 2026 in both New Orleans and Atlanta, with the creative team from Beauty in Black returning—alongside new writers from HBO’s Industry and FX’s Snowfall to shape a more cinematic tone.

Tyler Perry will serve as executive producer, but not writer-director this time. Instead, he has tapped Ava DuVernay’s mentee, director Kenya Rivers, to helm the pilot and several key episodes.

Netflix plans to premiere the show in late 2026 with a six-episode limited series format—though internal sources say a second season is already being sketched based on early hype.

Fan Reactions: ‘This Is the Origin Story We Never Knew We Needed’

Online reactions were immediate and intense.

“RAVEN??? As the lead?? Oh this is about to be COLD.”
“This is like Queen Charlotte meets House of Cards and I am here for ALL of it.”
“Don’t sleep on Demi Singleton. That girl is about to blow UP.”

A first-look teaser poster showing Raven in silhouette with the tagline “Bloodline. Power. Consequence.” has already gone viral.

A Deeper Universe

According to production insiders, “Shadows of Shaw” will interweave with events in Beauty in Black Season 3, including a rumored crossover appearance by Mallory, who may have known about Raven’s secrets all along.

“We’re building a universe,” one insider said. “Raven is just the first branch of the family tree we’re ready to explore.”

Final Word: Tyler Perry Speaks

“We built Beauty in Black to be about survival, identity, and power—especially power that isn’t handed to you,” Perry said. “Raven is proof that sometimes the ones standing furthest from the spotlight are the ones writing the ending.”