Tyler Perry’s recently released Netflix show,She the People, has now officially been renamed toMiss Governor. The sitcom follows a Mississippi governor, Antoinette Dunkerson, who makes history when she is appointed as the state’s first Black governor. As the series progresses, Antoinette must deal with her aggressive boss while her family has to adjust to a new life in the public eye.
The cast ofShe the Peopleincludes Terri J. Vaughn as Antoinette, who tries to balance dealing with her family’s dramatic antics and dealing with racism in her workplace. The cast also includes Jade Novah and Drew Olivia Tillman, who play members of Antoinette’s family who do their best to offer support in an unusual manner.
WhileShe the Peoplewas initially met with mixed reviews, the series received praise for its depiction of racism and gender roles in politics, setting it on track to becomeone of Tyler Perry’s best shows. Structured as a two-part season, Netflix is set to release part 2 in August 2025, but due to legal reasons, it will be under a completely different name.
She The People Being Renamed Miss Governor Is Reportedly Due To A Lawsuit
A Lawsuit Was Filed Against Perry’s Production Company By Aimee Allison
Shortly before the release of the first half ofShe the Peopleon Netflix, it was announced that Tyler Vision LLC, Netflix, and Terri J. Vaughn were being sued for trademark infringement. The lawsuit was filed by Aimee Allison, the founder of “She the People,” a political action group launched in 2018, which focuses on helping Black women pursue political careers.
In her lawsuit, Allison stated that in 2020, she worked with Nina Holiday Entertainment Inc. to create a documentary about “She the People,” and spoke with Vaughn about interviews and themes relating to the documentary. Allison stated (viaClarion Ledger) that she was under the impression that Vaughn was connected to the production company and that all intellectual property was to be retained by the organization.
The lawsuit also stated (viaClarion Ledger) that Perry’s new series “echoes many of the same themes regarding Black women’s experiences in politics that Ms. Allison addresses through her activism” and has the potential to hurt her organization. While the lawsuit is still pending, Tyler Vision LLC agreed to change the name of the Netflix show toMiss Governor,according toThe Wrap.
Miss Governor’s Name Change Is An Unprecedented Move For Netflix
The first half ofShe the Peopleendedon a cliffhanger, with Governor Harper being rushed away due to a medical emergency, after Antoinette finally called him out for his behavior towards her. The upcoming part two of the series will undoubtedly reveal whether Harper survived or not and will return to face Antoinette.
Considering how the first half of the series ended, the decision to changeShe the People’sname toMiss Governormidway through is a surprising decision for Netflix. While there have been times when Netflix has changed show names, as seen withEverybody’s Live with John Mulaney, it is unusual for a name change to take place between episodes of a one-season show.
While the name change for the sitcom is an unprecedented move for Netflix, it is understandable given the legal circumstances surrounding the show. The decision to renameShe the PeopletoMiss Governorallows Netflix to distance itself from the ongoing lawsuit and also brings more attention to the sitcom, which could arguably lead to the series being renewed for a second season in the future.
Sources:Clarion Ledger(1),Clarion Ledger(2),The Wrap
She the People
She the People follows Mississippi’s first Black lieutenant governor as she navigates the complexities of political ambition while managing a quirky family and confronting a traditionalist boss, capturing the challenges of leadership and personal balance in the modern political landscape. Released in 2025, this series examines themes of empowerment and change.
