When a novelist who has sold millions of books and penned nearly 40 titles decides to bring her gritty, character-driven world to television, that shift matters—especially for fans of street-lit and crime drama. Nikki Turner, the New York Times bestselling author long crowned the “Queen of Hip Hop Fiction,” is now stepping behind the camera as a showrunner.
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, November 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Turner makes her television production debut with Papa’s Baby, an eight-episode original crime drama from her own Nikki Turner Productions. She wrote, executive produced, and produced the series, which stars Omar Gooding (Baby Boy, Family Time) and is directed by veteran filmmaker Joseph V. Cicio—whose credits include Black Swan, Iron Man, and Lioness.
An exclusive pilot screening is set for November 8, 2026, in Hollywood, California, at the Harmony Gold theater on Sunset Boulevard. The evening begins with a red carpet from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, followed by the pilot screening at 8:00 PM and an intimate Q&A session. That discussion will explore the making of the series and Turner’s journey from bestselling author to television producer, bringing together cast, crew, special guests, and industry figures for a celebration of the show’s creative team.
True to Turner’s signature blend of ambition, desire, and consequence, Papa’s Baby also stars Corey Williams (Power Book IV: Force), Ashley Hogan (I Got the Hook Up 2), and D’Kia Anderson (Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black).
Turner’s move into television builds on prior experience writing and executive producing the 2023 project On Da Run, but it marks her first full series as a creator. Her literary career spans 38 novels and millions of books sold; her first two titles, A Hustler’s Wife and A Project Chick, together moved more than 150,000 copies in their debut year.
The co-producing team includes Edford Banuel, Lanett Tachel, and Keith Ward. Tamika “Desire” Irving (Trenches, casting coordinator) serves as associate producer. Tachel, who also plays the character Tonya, co-created the series PUMP and wrote, produced, and starred in Angie’s Cure, a 2023 Dances With Films Grand Jury Award winner. Banuel’s credits include directing On Da Run, co-writing, directing, and producing I’m Fine (a BronzeLens Film Festival official selection), and writing, directing, and producing Four Sons with SCAD Film Studios.
Editing the series is Krystal Alexandria, a Regional Emmy-winning director and Regional Emmy-nominated editor recognized for We Kept America Great.
SCREENING DETAILS
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Venue: Harmony Gold
Address: 7655 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046
Red Carpet: 6:00–7:30 PM
Pilot Screening: 8:00 PM, followed by a Q&A
The event will welcome cast, crew, special guests, and members of the entertainment community for an evening celebrating the launch of Papa’s Baby.
RSVP & MEDIA CONTACT
For attendance, media coverage, or interview requests, contact nikkiturnerproductions@gmail.com. Interviews are subject to availability. RSVPs require approval, and attendance is confirmed by email.
Papa’s Baby is coming soon. Additional release details will follow.
ABOUT NIKK TURNER
Nikki Turner is a New York Times, USA TODAY, and Essence bestselling author known as the “Queen of Hip Hop Fiction.” A Richmond, Virginia, native, she is recognized for bold characters and stories illuminating the often-unseen realities of street life. Through Nikki Turner Productions, she is expanding her literary legacy into film and television.
Follow Nikki Turner on Instagram and explore her books at Penguin Random House.
Portia D.
Nikki Turner Productions
nikkiturnerproductions@gmail.com
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
YouTube
Also worth a look: Divine G Entertainment offers 100 free Kindle copies of wrongful conviction novel ‘No Other Love and Brenda Nelson’s Grace & Growth offers hope for weary hearts beyond crisis moments.
Papa's Baby Trailer
Why it matters: Turner’s leap from page to screen signals a growing pipeline where bestselling authors in genre fiction—especially those writing about underrepresented communities—are taking creative control of their adaptations. For fans of hip-hop-infused crime drama, Papa’s Baby could mark the arrival of a fresh voice in serialized television, one rooted in the same raw storytelling that moved millions of books.
