Entertainment Movies See First Look at Tyler Perry's 'Really Special' Netflix Film 'A Jazzman's Blues' About Forbidden Love Tyler Perry tells PEOPLE A Jazzman's Blues is the "first screenplay I ever wrote" back in 1995, and now he's bringing it to Netflix this September By Janine Rubenstein Janine Rubenstein Instagram Twitter Janine Rubenstein is Editor-at-Large at PEOPLE and host of PEOPLE Every Day podcast, a daily dose of breaking news, pop culture and heartwarming human interest stories. Formerly Senior Editor of music content, she's also covered crime, human interest and television news throughout her many years with the brand. Prior to PEOPLE she's written for Essence, The Cape Times newspaper and Los Angeles Magazine among others. On-screen Rubenstein can be found featured on shows like Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight and she routinely hosts PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly's star-studded Red Carpet Live specials. Follow the San Francisco native, Black Barbie collector and proud mom of two on Instagram and Twitter @janinerube People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 26, 2022 12:00 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Jace Downs/Netflix Tyler Perry is ready for fans to see a new side of his repertoire. PEOPLE has the exclusive first look at the writer/director's new coming-of-age period drama A Jazzman's Blues, which debuts on Netflix Sept. 23. Set in the 1940s deep South, actors Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer play star-crossed lovers Bayou and Leanne, whose forbidden love is the backdrop for decades of secrets and lies being uncovered. "I wrote it in 1995. It was the first screenplay I ever wrote," Perry, 52, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. "The two characters are just trying to find their own way in the world. Initially, I wanted to play the lead role of Bayou, but that was 1995 — I aged out." The Hollywood mogul is in a much different place in life and his career than when he originally wrote A Jazzman's Blues, making the project even more personal for Perry. Tyler Perry Wins Humanitarian Award at the 2021 Oscars as He Implores Others to 'Refuse Hate' Jace Downs/Netflix Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free weekly newsletter to get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday. "I was in Atlanta struggling to make it. I was hungry, sleeping on my cousin's couch, eventually getting put out and being homeless. I was trying to get my first play off the ground, and this screenplay just poured out of me," he recalls. "I held onto it for all of these years." Listen below to an interview with Tyler Perry on our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. The upcoming film also stars Amirah Vann, Austin Scott, Milauna Jemai Jackson, Brent Antonello, Brad Benedict, Kario Marcel, Lana Young and Ryan Eggold. There's an original song performed by Ruth B., songs arranged and produced by Terence Blanchard, music by Aaron Zigman and choreography by Debbie Allen. Perry agrees this film is a departure from his past movies, but he looks forward to proving wrong those naysayers who doubted he could deliver a hit with critics: "Everyone has their team, and these teams don't necessarily understand the power of my audience and what I bring. This is a much broader film. I can't wait for all the people who turned it down to see it. It's just going to be really, really special." A Jazzman's Blues is on Netflix Sept. 23.