On January 31, YouTube Red premiered its new original series, Step Up: High Water, starring NE-YO, Naya Rivera and Faizon Love. The music-filled 10 episode drama series from YouTube and Lionsgate is based on the popular Step Up movie franchise which began in 2006.
The new series centers around a group of ambitious young dancers in a contemporary performing arts school in Atlanta. As well as NE-YO, Naya Rivera and Faizon Love, the series also stars Lauryn McClain, Petrice Jones, Marcus Mitchell, Jade Chynoweth, Carlito Olivero, Terrence Green, R. Marcos Taylor, Eric Graise and Kendra Oyesanya.
Viewers can be sure to experience flashbacks of the original films while watching the new series because it’s filled with all of the same elements that made the original films popular, including great music and choreography and complex relationships. The music featured in the show is by four-time Grammy® Award-winning singer/songwriter Jason “PooBear” Boyd and “Jingle” Jared Gutstadt. Jamal Sims, from the original films, will also return to choreograph the series’ first episode, with subsequent episodes choreographed by Jamaica Craft.
Channing and Jenna Dewan Tatum, who co-starred in the original Step Up film also return as Executive Producers for the YouTube Red Original, along with dancer and choreographer Adam Shankman. Jennifer Gibgot and Meredith Milton also join as producers, both of whom were producers of the original Step Up films. Holly Sorensen (Recovery Road, Make It Or Break It) serves as series Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner.