Doing Life cast guide: Get to know the characters in Tyler Perry's new drama

Doing Life is Tyler Perry's latest urban drama film on Netflix, starring Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves.

According to IMDB, the official synopsis for the film reads as follows:

"A single mother fighting to survive and a reformed ex-con with untapped talent find in each other an unlikely second chance."

According to Netflix Tudum, Tyler Perry's Doing Life follows an unlikely connection between a single mother and a reformed ex-convict, as they navigate their individual battles and society's perceptions about their relationship.

Here is the main cast.

Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves lead the Doing Life cast

Actors Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves are at the heart of Doing Life. Baker plays Anika, a former corrections guard and single mother who struggles to hold her family together emotionally and financially. Anika's story of survival and hardship forms the main basis of Tyler Perry's latest drama, which eventually leads her to form a relationship with Reeves' character.

Actress Naomi Baker is best known for the 2022 sports drama All American: Homecoming and Lane Shefter Bishop's 2023 thriller A Lifeguard's Obsession. The actress will also appear in Lindsay Hartley's upcoming indie teen dramedy, Paranormal Nobodies.

Jay Reeves is the next main addition to the Doing Life cast. Reeves plays a reformed ex-convict, Carousel, who reconnects with Anika after his release. Through Carousel's story, the drama explores themes of survival, second chances, and redemption.

Jay Reeves is best known for playing Shaw Scott in The CW's sports drama All American. The actor has also appeared in series such as A Girl Named Jo, Marshals, and Netflix's crime drama Nemesis.

Meet the supporting cast in Tyler Perry's latest drama

In addition to Naomi Baker and Jay Reeves, Tyler Perry's latest drama features the following actors in supporting roles:

1) Tamberla Perry (They Cloned Tyrone) as Cathy

2) Karen Obilom (Games People Play) as Trina

3) Jasmine Sargent (The Day Ones) as Lisa, Anika's protective older sister

4) Danielle Moné Truitt (Law & Order: Organized Crime) as Denise

5) Cornell Young IV (A Different World) as Donovan

6) Cali Rae Benard as Nia

7) Lucky Johnson (Five Days at Memorial) as Quinn

What is Tyler Perry's Doing Life about?

A still of Naomi Baker in the movie (Image via YouTube/Netflix)

Tyler Perry's film follows Anika and Carousel as they reconnect after the latter's release from prison. During Anika's time as a corrections guard, she was involved in a violent prison riot and rescued by Carousel. This sets the stage for their reunion years later, after Carousel is released.

According to Scenes in Colour, Anika and Carousel form a long-distance bond through letters, which eventually grows into a strong friendship when Reeves' character is released. As Carousel works on getting his life together, his friendship with Anika blossoms into romance, which does not sit right with Anika's sister Lisa and the people around her.

As Anika and Carousel navigate deep emotional healing and face restrictions from the former's family, Doing Life explores the themes of survival, guilt, redemption, and a second-chance romance.

The latest feature film is part of Tyler Perry's highly successful deal with Netflix, where he has written, directed, and produced a string of films, including A Fall from Grace, A Jazzman’s Blues, Mea Culpa, A Madea Homecoming, and The Six Triple Eight, and TV shows, including Beauty in Black and She the People.