Urban One’s TikTok Microdramas Drop: ‘Foul Play’ & ‘Power & Influence’

EXCLUSIVE: Urban One, Inc., the company known for distributing Black-focused content, is debuting two short-form drama series on the Bossip TikTok channel.

Writer Dreux Dougall, whose credits include Lovecraft Country, and Tanya Hoffler-Moore, known for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, are behind the corporate thriller Power & Influence and the revenge-driven Foul Play, respectively.

Each project will consist of 20 installments averaging roughly 90 seconds apiece. Power & Influence is set to premiere on October 19, 2026. After their exclusive runs on TikTok, both series will be distributed more widely across Urban One’s ecosystem — including its digital properties, TV One, connected TV platforms and other free ad-supported streaming channels.

Power & Influence is now in production. Its logline reads: “AI deepfakes unveil buried scandals at one of Atlanta’s most respected Black-owned advertising agencies, forcing CEO Nia Whitmore to rely on her biggest risk: Zuri Reynolds, a young creative strategist whose street connections might save the firm — or tear down everything Nia has built.”

The cast for Power & Influence includes Ivory Shields (Nappily Ever After), Tanazia Madan (Queen Sugar), Jay Jones (Lovecraft Country), De’Tuan Williams (Fear Lake Lanier), Ashley Brittney Silva (Love & Marriage: DC) and Donny Carrington (Beyond the Gates).

Dougall penned the script, Jamal Simmons (Married at First Sight) is directing, and Ma’at Zachary (Chef Roble & Co.) is serving as executive producer.

Also in production, Foul Play is described as a genre-blending revenge thriller about a highly trained military veteran and devoted sports mom who seeks vengeance against a corrupt coach, referee and player after they conspire to injure her standout point guard daughter during a pivotal tournament.

Hoffler-Moore wrote and executive produced Foul Play. Former professional women’s basketball player Ty Young directs, Leon Lozado (All American: Homecoming) is co-producer and co-director, and ex-pro players Ashley MacCalla and Sydney MacCalla join as co-producers.

“We’re developing stories tailored to how audiences watch now,” said Allison McGevna, Senior Vice President of Content for Urban One’s iONE Digital. “From script to pacing to production values, these microseries are optimized for mobile consumption, with compelling characters and narratives designed to bring viewers back episode after episode.”

Jeff Meza, Urban One’s EVP and Head of Branded Entertainment & Integrated Marketing, added, “These microseries give brands a genuine way to engage with our audiences through stories grounded in their culture and interests. Partners can integrate with the storytelling from the start, and opportunities extend across Urban One’s platforms.”