“Tyler Perry’s Doing Life” Trailer: Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves Are a Single Mother and Reformed Ex-Convict Who Fall in Love (Exclusive)

NEED TO KNOW

• Tyler Perry’s new Netflix movie, Tyler Perry’s Doing Life, explores second chances through a single mother and a reformed ex-convict

• Perry tells PEOPLE the story was inspired by resilient people he’s known, including single mothers and former inmates

• Tyler Perry’s Doing Life begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 2

Tyler Perry is bringing the story of a single mother and former convict to the screen in his newest movie.

PEOPLE is exclusively revealing the trailer for his upcoming film, Tyler Perry’s Doing Life, which begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 2.

“A single mother fighting to survive and a reformed ex-con with untapped talent find in each other an unlikely second chance,” a logline for the movie, which stars Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves as the two leads, reads.

The trailer opens with a flashback to when Anika (Baker), who used to work as an officer in a prison, is saved from a violent riot by then-inmate Carousel (Reeves).

Now that he’s out, the two reconnect and begin to develop a relationship — despite the hesitations of Anika’s family.

Written and directed by Perry, 56, the movie also stars Tamberla Perry, Karen Obilom, Jasmine Sargent, Lucky Johnson and Danielle Moné Truitt.

“I’ve had people in my life who reminded me of both of these characters—people who come out of prison looking for a second chance, and single mothers who are doing everything they can to provide for their children,” Perry tells PEOPLE of what inspired the story.

He adds, “I was inspired by the resilience I’ve seen in both, and by the idea that sometimes the people we least expect can understand each other in ways no one else can.”

As for his choice to focus on a single mother and an ex-convict — and why now — Perry says, “These are the people that are the most not seen or heard in our society.”

“I wanted to tell a story about two people who, on the surface, seem like complete opposites, but who discover a deep commonality in the struggles they’re facing,” he says. “I think that message of second chances and human connection feels especially meaningful right now.”

When it came to finding the right fit for the two leads, Perry says he wanted to continue championing new faces in the industry — and saw Baker and Reeves could rise up to the challenge.

For Carousel’s character, he adds, Reeves had to find a way to make him redeemable — despite having been convicted for attempted murder — and the actor was able to do just that.

“Jay, in particular, had to play someone who, on paper, might seem beyond redemption, but who is fighting hard to make amends, take responsibility for his past, and turn his life around,” he says. “He brought a real vulnerability to that journey.”

Meanwhile, Baker had the challenge of showing her character’s vulnerability. “Naomi brought that same strength and resilience to her character, while also allowing us to see the softer, more vulnerable side of a woman who has spent so much of her life simply trying to hold everything together.”

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Tyler Perry’s Doing Life begins streaming on Netflix Oct. 2.

Read the original article on People