Mable "Madea" Simmons is easily Tyler Perry's most recognizable character. Considered by some to be America’s favorite grandma, anyone familiar with the brash matriarch knows she first appeared in Perry’s 1999 stage play I Can Do Bad All by Myself before making her feature film debut in 2005’s Diary of A Mad Black Woman. This pistol-packing, brutally honest and often foul-mouth matriarch and unlikely icon, went on to anchor a 10 movie franchise.
2019's A Madea Family Funeral and the play Madea's Farewell Play were supposed to be the final outings for Madea, Perry told the New York Times. However, Perry soon realized he just couldn’t quit his curmudgeonly grandma. Madea’s coming out of retirement and straight to Netflix. Here’s everything you need to know about her debut on the streamer in A Madea Homecoming.
'A Madea Homecoming' release date
A Madea Homecoming will be Madea’s 11th movie and 12th appearance in a Tyler Perry production, premiering on Feb. 25 as part what's new on Netflix's this February. Madea movies are known for tough love, life lessons delivered with a heavy hand and broad, sometimes off-color, comedy.
As of now, there are no plans for Madea’s latest movie to have a theatrical release. Although a proponent of the theater experience, Perry noted to Variety that it was “never part of his conversation with the company.”
This marks Perry’s second collaboration with the streamer (A Fall From Grace) and will be followed by his passion project, A Jazzman’s Blues starring Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer.
'A Madea Homecoming' plot
Perry wrote this latest installment of the franchise. The story revolves around Madea's great-grandson's college graduation. As is to be expected, this moment of celebration turns into an unveiling of secrets that leads to drama amongst the family. All the upheaval threatens to destroy the happy homecoming.
Perry updated the storyline from the Farewell Play and incorporated touchy issues from the Black community, and other socio-political topics into the script. According to his comments to Entertainment Weekly, there’s even an arc centering a lead character coming out to the family.
'A Madea Homecoming' cast
In addition to writing and directing A Madea Homecoming, Perry will once again star in this latest installment of the franchise.
Coming to the family gathering are notable all-stars from the Madea Universe reprising their roles (this franchise has spin-off series galore) including Gabrielle Dennis, Brandon Black, Isha Blaaker; plus Tamela Mann as Cora, David Mann as Mr. Brown, Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam and Tyler Perry (pulling double duty) as Joe. The crew’s joined by special guest Irish icon Brendan O’Carroll playing Madea’s comedic match Agnes Brown.
'A Madea Homecoming' trailer
From the looks of the official trailer, Perry’s banking on Madea being able to raise questions and address taboos in between the laughs and hijinks.
The promotion leading up to the release has been a series of gag images featuring Madea spoofing big moments in recent pop culture news, like Adele’s exclusive interview with Oprah. It’s a big clue that her signature lampooning and leaning into the contemporary for both its commentary and it’s laughs is likely to continue as the storyline staple.
How to watch Madea-verse movies
After 10 installments and a two-year break, it may just be time for a refresher on the Medea-verse. Many of the movies are available for streaming on Prime Video. But if you're looking for just a recap, the Netflix Film Club’s got you covered.
Get up to speed on the timeline and the whole varied cast of characters before Feb. 25.
