Doing Life is a 2026 American romantic drama written and directed by Tyler Perry for Netflix. Naomi Baker plays Anika, a single mother and former prison officer, and Jay Reeves plays Carousel, a reformed ex-convict. Tamberla Perry, Karen Obilom, Jasmine Sargent, Lucky Johnson and Danielle Moné Truitt also star. The movie was made in Georgia, with the city of Atlanta as its main base and a real state prison used for the jail scenes. If you like dramas shot in the Peach State, you can browse more titles filmed in Georgia.
Anika is a single mother and a former prison officer who is fighting hard to keep her life together. Years ago, a man named Carousel protected her during a violent riot inside the prison. Now he is a reformed ex-convict looking for redemption, and their paths cross again. Slowly, the two discover a deep bond and find strength in their unlikely connection.
Doing Life came out on October 2, 2026.
The film is a Netflix original and is streaming now on the platform. It was made by Tyler Perry Studios and Netflix Studios. Perry produced it with Angi Bones and Tony L. Strickland, and it is part of his first-look deal with the streamer.
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When and Where Was Doing Life Filmed?
| Film Name | Doing Life |
|---|---|
| Genres | Romance, Drama |
| Filming Locations | Atlanta and Reidsville, Georgia, USA |
| Filming Dates | March 2025 (reported) |
| Cinematography by | Justyn Moro |
| Release Date | October 2, 2026 |
The whole movie was shot in Georgia. Most of the work happened in Atlanta, and the prison scenes were filmed in Tattnall County. An early report said filming was set to begin on March 19, 2025, at Tyler Perry’s studio in Atlanta, but Netflix never confirmed the exact dates. Another guide, The Cinemaholic, also places the shoot around March 2025 and says it lasted several weeks. So please treat that month as a report, not an official fact.
📍Georgia State Prison, Reidsville, Georgia
The trailer shows a prison with the sign “Holloway State Correctional” above its front entrance. That name is made up for the film. The real building is Georgia State Prison at 300 1st Avenue South in Reidsville, in Tattnall County. The sign and the tall tower in the background, plus the long fences around the yard, match this place.
The prison is also known as the filming site of the 1974 movie The Longest Yard, as noted on Wikipedia. It is a working prison, so it is not open to visitors. Please do not try to go inside or film near the gates.
📍 Plaza Theatre, Atlanta (Seen as “Tavern Theatre”)
In the film, a date night takes place at a glowing movie house called the Tavern Theatre. Its marquee reads “5 Dollar Movie Night” and “Free Popcorn,” and a couple hugs right under the lights. This is the real Plaza Theatre at 1049 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland area, with the name changed only on the sign for the shoot.
The theatre opened on December 23, 1939, and is known as Atlanta’s longest continuously operating independent cinema, as Wikipedia’s page on the theatre explains. Unlike the prison, you can visit it and watch a movie. Looking for more stories set around the city? Check out our Atlanta collection.
📍Tyler Perry Studios, Atlanta
According to The Cinemaholic, a lot of the film was shot at Tyler Perry Studios, on the former Fort McPherson army base, which has many large sound stages. We could not find an official list of which scenes were filmed there, so this is a report and not a confirmed detail. The studio is a closed, working lot, so it is not open for walk-in visits. Many other Perry projects were filmed at the same place, such as the Netflix comedy Why Did I Get Married Again?, the drama series Beauty in Black Season 2 and the film Madea’s Destination Wedding.
📍Castleberry Hill, Atlanta
The same guide says some scenes were filmed in Castleberry Hill, a neighborhood just southwest of downtown Atlanta. We could not find a second source or the exact streets, so please treat this one as unconfirmed for now. We will update this part if Netflix or the crew shares more.
Doing Life Behind the Scenes
Tyler Perry told WSB-TV that he had wanted to make this movie for almost three decades. He said his first screenplay goes back to 1995, after he met playwright August Wilson, who told him to “write what’s in my heart.”
Perry also said the story was inspired by the idea that “the people we least expect can understand each other in ways no one else can.”
This is Jay Reeves’ second film with Perry, after The Six Triple Eight, and in an interview with Moviefone he called working with Perry “the best time.” He also shared that Perry hired talented stunt performers and made sure everyone stayed safe during the prison riot scene. Naomi Baker said she and Reeves had time to get to know each other and talk about the script before filming. The film also features the song “Hold On” by Tems.
Is There Any Trailer Available for Doing Life?
Yes, the official trailer for Doing Life is available. Tyler Perry shared it ahead of the release, and it runs about one minute and 55 seconds. It shows the prison entrance with its “Holloway State Correctional” sign and the glowing theatre marquee.
YouTube Channel: Netflix Release Date: October 2, 2026 Available on: Netflix
FAQs
Doing Life mixes real Georgia places with made-up names. A working prison in Reidsville becomes “Holloway State Correctional,” and Atlanta’s old Plaza Theatre turns into the “Tavern Theatre” for one sweet date night. These real spots help the story feel rough and honest. If you like emotional stories like this one, take a look at more titles in our drama, romance and Netflix sections, and come back soon for more filming-location guides.
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