Jalen Rose Brings Detroit’s Story to the Screen with New Series South West High

Detroit’s stories of resilience and education are taking center stage in a new scripted series led by Jalen Rose. His Detroit-based production company, Same Page Entertainment, is set to debut its first original project, South West High, premiering February 23, 2026, on Tubi with five hour-long episodes released weekly.

Set inside a struggling inner-city high school, the series follows Nolan Thomas, a former professional basketball player who returns to his alma mater as principal with hopes of restoring discipline, structure, and opportunity. As he works to reform the school, Nolan must confront difficult realities about leadership, accountability, and sacrifice. The show blends grit and hope, offering a dramatic portrait of educators and students fighting to build a future despite systemic challenges.

Inspired by the real-life mission of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, the series draws directly from Rose’s years of experience working with Detroit youth. For Rose, South West High is both a creative project and a continuation of his community-focused work. The show reflects the spirit of perseverance he has witnessed firsthand among students striving for success against the odds.

The cast features Dawn Halfkenny, Towanda Braxton, Christina Cooper, Stevie Baggs Jr., Brooklyn “Queen” Oates, and Don Brumfield Jr., with guest appearances from Anna Maria Horsford, Detroit rapper Sada Baby, and FOX 2 Detroit anchor Maurielle Lue.

Behind the scenes, South West High is created and executive produced by Rose alongside Ty Mopkins and Dennis Reed II. Detroit legend Royce 5’9″ serves as music supervisor and co-composer of the original score, further rooting the series in the city’s cultural identity.

As the first release from Same Page Entertainment’s growing slate of projects, South West High signals a larger mission: telling stories from Detroit with authenticity, purpose, and impact. With education, mentorship, and community at its core, the series stands as a reflection of Rose’s ongoing commitment to uplift the city that shaped him.