Tyler Perry is bringing some of gospel music’s biggest names together for his latest Netflix film, The Gospel of Christmas. Starring Fantasia Barrino Taylor and Durrell “Tank” Babbs, the upcoming holiday drama explores the importance of faith during difficult times, with a cast that includes CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, and The Clark Sisters. ESSENCE has an exclusive first look at the film, which reunites Perry with Fantasia and gives Tank an opportunity to introduce audiences to a different side of himself.

Written and directed by Perry, The Gospel of Christmas follows a struggling pastor who inherits his family’s church in a troubled New York neighborhood. As he tries to keep the congregation together, he faces challenges that threaten his marriage and his relationship with God. Tank plays Isaac Jefferson, the pastor, while Fantasia portrays his wife, Rebecca, a woman whose faith becomes especially important as her husband struggles to find his way.

Fantasia was excited to join The Gospel of Christmas, because the opportunity to work with Perry again came with a personal connection. The filmmaker has been a mentor to the singer since the early years of her career, and the film’s Christmas setting reminded her of her late grandmother, whose birthday fell on December 25.

“Long ago when I was in my early stages, didn’t have much guidance, didn’t have anybody really behind me, Tyler Perry took me up under his wing and he’s been like an angel on earth to me,” Fantasia said. “And just in honor of my grandmother on her birthday, I knew this was the role for me.”

Tank’s relationship with Perry dates back to 2006, when the filmmaker attended a stage production in which the singer was performing. Nearly 20 years later, Perry contacted him about starring in the film. As the script developed, Tank recognized similarities between his character’s experiences and his own upbringing in the church. “He didn’t realize that he was writing exactly who I am versus just writing a story,” Tank explained. “I was like, ‘Bro, you have no idea that this is me.’”

The film also features an impressive gathering of gospel performers, including Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Chanté Moore and Jekalyn Carr. Kirk Franklin serves as music producer, bringing his experience to a project where gospel music plays an important role in the storytelling. For both leads, working alongside artists they grew up listening to was an experience neither expected. Tank recalls arriving at the first table read without knowing the full cast, only to discover himself surrounded by many of his musical heroes.

“It was just one of the happiest days of my life to be surrounded by my heroes, man, and to be part of this project and to see what all had come together,” he recalled. “And just the purpose of it felt bigger.”

Fantasia, who began singing gospel music at five years old, shared his excitement. During filming, she found herself watching the performances of artists she had admired since childhood. “So it was an honor for me to be on set with so many legends,” she noted. “All I can say is the whole time we filmed this movie, I was on a natural high from music, from vocals, from the anointing that rests upon all of these greats that were a part of the movie.”

While Christmas provides the setting, the story places particular emphasis on the role of the Black church and the importance of prayer. For Tank, those elements distinguish Perry’s latest project from other holiday films. “I hope that people get the spirituality of it all,” he said. “The meaning of it all in terms of what Christmas really means.”

Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas premieres November 11 on Netflix.

Author: Okla Jones III

Read the original article on Essence.