How Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch Put Together the Greatest Call Sheet Ever

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In 2019, when Reginald Hudlin got a call from Jamie Foxx and producer Datari Turner, proposing to create a film centering around prominent Black actors in the Hollywood industry, he wholeheartedly agreed.

Hudlin, director of Apple TV+’s Number One on the Call Sheet, remarks, “It became clear quite quickly that there was a wealth of talent available for this project. As we discussed the concept, it became evident that the film needed to expand in scale. That’s why we reshaped the movie to be even larger, which led us to bring Shola Lynch on board.

In this four-part docuseries, Lynch took charge of directing the episodes focusing on Black women in Hollywood, whereas Hudlin steered the episodes featuring Black men leading roles. Notable stars like Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Whoopi Goldberg, Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, and Eddie Murphy, among others, share their experiences as entertainers. Filming took place over approximately two years starting from 2022, with Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx serving as subjects and executive producers through their companies, Hartbeat and Foxxhole Productions respectively.

According to Lynch, who was part of the Cicely Tyson tribute at the 2018 Governors Awards, it was an impressive and politically challenging task to gather everyone together. Following that event, she contemplated creating a piece focusing on Black women in Hollywood filmmaking. However, her team felt the political capital required was too significant, and the project never truly took off. Lynch laments that Tyson is no longer with us, but these films produced by Black film companies serve as a unique tribute to the time in a way that no one else could achieve. These productions, with their influence, fame, and prestige, were able to leverage this momentum and bring everyone together because there was no previous example for it.

The atmosphere of this series is both joyful and genuine. The male performers honor trailblazers such as Sidney Poitier and discuss how Smith’s box office achievements challenged previous beliefs that Black artists couldn’t be global cinema stars. Meanwhile, the female actors contemplate boundaries they have overcome and those they still strive to surpass. A large part of the series focuses on Berry’s role as the only Black woman in the Academy’s 97-year history to win an Oscar for Best Actress. However, the filmmakers emphasize that the main message isn’t to criticize the industry but rather to be inspired by how each subject has overcome the odds.

According to Hudlin, what’s essential isn’t just desirable but necessary: a roadmap for life. “Listen to these successful individuals as they guide you on how to achieve success,” he says. “There’s no single route; there are numerous paths. Choose the one that best suits your journey.

Lynch continues: “It encourages each of us to ask ourselves, ‘How can we take the top spot on our own list?’ How can we strive for greatness or fulfill our personal mission? These women are living their purpose, and they will find a way to do it no matter what. That determination is truly inspiring.

This tale was initially published in the standalone May issue of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine. If you’d like to get the magazine, you can subscribe by clicking here.

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2025-06-01 22:24