Tia Mowry will star in and executive produce the Lifetime thriller "Single Black Tenant," premiering Saturday, June 27, 2026 [1].
The film highlights the vulnerability of renters and the psychological terror of being targeted by a criminal who manipulates evidence to frame an innocent person.
Set in a quiet neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio [3], the story centers on the character Esme Williams. Williams begins to suspect that a murderer is actively working to make her appear guilty of a crime she did not commit [1]. The production is described as a "ripped-from-the-headlines" thriller, meaning the plot is inspired by actual events [2].
Lifetime has scheduled the movie to air at 8 p.m. ET/PT [2]. The project marks a dual role for Mowry, who serves as both the lead actress and an executive producer on the film [2].
The narrative explores the specific fears associated with urban tenancy, and the difficulty of proving innocence when a calculated killer controls the narrative. By placing the action in a residential Cleveland setting, the film aims to ground its suspense in a familiar, domestic environment [3].
“The film is inspired by actual events”
The production of 'Single Black Tenant' continues Lifetime's strategy of producing high-concept, true-crime inspired narratives that focus on female protagonists in peril. By involving Mowry as an executive producer, the network is leveraging star power to drive viewership for its scripted thrillers while tapping into current societal anxieties regarding housing and legal vulnerability.
