Dance Drama Starring Ne-Yo ‘Step Up: High Water’ Gets YouTube Red Premiere Date

Original drama series Step Up: High Water, starring Ne-Yo as the founder of an Atlanta performing-arts school, will premiere on the YouTube Red subscription service Jan. 31, 2018.

The 10-episode series, produced by Lionsgate for YouTube Red, is based on the Step Up film franchise that grossed $650 million at the global box office.

YouTube announced plans for the Step Up series in June 2016. Originally, the show was slated to debut on YouTube Red in the fall of 2017.

Step Up: High Water is executive produced by Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum — who starred in the original movie — and Adam Shankman (producer on the Step Up films), along with series producers Jennifer Gibgot and Meredith Milton. Holly Sorensen (Recovery Road, Make It Or Break It) serves as series creator, executive producer and showrunner.

Original songs for the series are created by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jason “PooBear” Boyd and “Jingle” Jared Gutstadt, president, co-founder and chief creative officer of Jingle Punks.

In the series, Ne-Yo — singer, actor, dancer and producer — plays Sage Odom, the legendary founder of the fictional High Water Performing Arts School in Atlanta. Naya Rivera (Glee) plays Collette, a former dancer turned High Water administrator whose passion for her students is only matched by her history with Sage and secrets of her own.

Cast of Step Up: High Water includes Lauryn McClain (Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls, Spider-Man animated series), who plays Janelle, an ambitious dancer navigating the Atlanta hip-hop scene. She and her twin brother Tal, played by Petrice Jones (iBoy, Play The Devil) are uprooted from suburban Ohio to live with their Uncle Al, played by Faizon Love (Couples Retreat, Elf).

As the kids settle into their new life they meet Dondre played by Marcus Mitchell (High Strung, Odious), who introduces them to Atlanta’s party scene where they learn that High Water is auditioning dancers.

Watch the trailer for Step Up: High Water.