Detroit-based Same Page Entertainment, co-founded by NBA legend Jalen Rose, has premiered its first original series, South West High, today on Tubi. The five-episode drama will air weekly with each installment running approximately one hour. The show marks Same Page Entertainment’s entry into scripted television, building a Detroit-rooted content slate that spans film, TV, and podcasts.
Set inside a struggling inner-city high school, South West High follows former professional basketball player Nolan Thomas, who returns to his alma mater as principal. Determined to transform the school that once shaped him, Nolan faces the challenges of leadership, accountability, and sacrifice while striving to support both students and staff. The series blends grit and hope to capture the realities of urban education, emphasizing the resilience of educators and young people navigating difficult circumstances.
Exploring community and mentorship
The series draws inspiration from Rose’s experience with the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, which he co-founded in 2011. Through this work, he has witnessed the determination and ambition of Detroit youth firsthand. South West High translates these real-life lessons into fiction, portraying a community where mentorship, perseverance, and collaboration are central themes.
By centering the story on Nolan Thomas, the series highlights the personal and professional sacrifices involved in school reform. Audiences follow his efforts to implement change while confronting complex issues, from power dynamics to student engagement, in a high-pressure environment. The show’s tone balances dramatic tension with moments of hope, reflecting the everyday victories and struggles of urban educators.
Cast and creative team
Jalen Rose stars as Nolan Thomas, leading a cast that includes Dawn Halfkenny as Ava Thomas, Towanda Braxton as Kelli Tillman, Christina Cooper as Starr Bridges, Stevie Baggs Jr. as Eric Freeman, Brooklyn “Queen” Oates as Maize Thomas, and Don Brumfield Jr. as Larry Johnson. Guest appearances feature Anna Maria Horsford, Detroit rapper Sada Baby, and local news anchor Maurielle Lue.
The series is created and executive produced by Jalen Rose, Ty Mopkins, and Dennis Reed II of DR II Productions. Reed II also wrote and directed the series in collaboration with 1919 Distribution. Detroit legend and GRAMMY-nominated artist Royce 5’9” supervised the music and composed the original score alongside Denaun Porter.
Same page entertainment’s vision
The launch of South West High reflects Same Page Entertainment’s commitment to elevating stories and talent emerging from Detroit and Michigan. Upcoming projects include a feature documentary on the McDonald’s All American Games for Prime Video, a narrative feature film, and Jalen Rose’s return to podcasting, all produced from the company’s new downtown Detroit studio.
The company, co-founded by Rose and entrepreneur Tom Gores, develops, produces, finances, and distributes scripted and unscripted projects that celebrate culture and foster creator visibility. Same Page emphasizes authentic representation, aiming to provide platforms where underrepresented voices can be seen, heard, and understood.
Looking ahead
With the premiere of South West High, Same Page Entertainment signals its ambition to become a hub for Detroit-centered storytelling. Audiences can tune in to Tubi to follow Nolan Thomas’s journey, explore the challenges facing urban schools, and witness narratives rooted in mentorship and community impact.
The series’ debut demonstrates the power of storytelling to illuminate real-world issues, inspire audiences, and honor the resilience of educators and students alike.
Source: Same Page Entertainment
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