Cast of Ruth and Boaz: 2025 Netflix Complete Guide

The 2025 Netflix film ‘Ruth & Boaz’ gives the biblical romance a modern twist: hip‑hop, a Georgia vineyard, and a soundtrack from Babyface. Starring Serayah and Tyler Lepley, we break down the cast, answer your biggest questions, and separate fact from creative liberty.

Release year: 2025 · Director: Alanna Brown · Lead actors: Serayah, Tyler Lepley · Based on: Book of Ruth · Streaming platform: Netflix · Runtime: 1h 33m

Six key facts about the film at a glance:

Is Ruth and Boaz a true story?

Biblical origins of the story

The film is based on the Book of Ruth, part of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The biblical narrative is considered a historical account set in the time of the judges, though no archaeological evidence confirms the characters as literal historical figures (Wikipedia – encyclopedic overview). Traditional Jewish and Christian scholarship treats it as a theological story emphasizing loyalty, redemption, and divine providence.

Modern adaptation liberties

The 2025 film relocates the story to contemporary Georgia, turning Ruth into a hip‑hop artist and Boaz into a vineyard entrepreneur. According to Netflix Tudum – official production article, this is a “modern‑day retelling,” not a direct historical account. The core plot points—Ruth’s devotion to Naomi, Boaz’s role as protector—remain, but the setting, careers, and dialogue are entirely contemporary.

The implication: the film uses the biblical template to explore universal themes of love, loss, and loyalty, but doesn’t claim to be a documentary of ancient events. For viewers expecting a period piece, the modern treatment may come as a surprise.

Who is in the cast of Ruth and Boaz?

Main cast: Serayah, Tyler Lepley, Phylicia Rashad

• Serayah plays Ruth Moably, described as “a soulful, talented singer with a complex past” (Netflix Tudum). Serayah is known for her role in Empire and her own music career.
• Tyler Lepley plays Boaz, “a handsome and muscled 40‑year‑old” vineyard owner (Netflix Tudum). Lepley previously starred in The Haves and the Have Nots.
• Phylicia Rashad plays Naomi, Ruth’s mother‑in‑law devastated by the loss of her husband and son (Netflix Tudum). Rashad is a Tony Award‑winning actress.

Supporting cast and cameos

• Walnette Santiago plays Lena, a no‑nonsense vineyard worker (Netflix Tudum).
• Nijah Brenea plays Breana, Ruth’s confident partner in the hip‑hop duo 404 (Netflix Tudum).
• Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds appears as himself (Netflix Tudum).

Crew and production team

• Directed by Alanna Brown (IMDb)
• Produced by Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin
• Screenplay by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan

What this means: the film combines seasoned faith‑based producers (Perry, Franklin) with a relatively new director (Brown) and a cast strong in music and drama—signaling a tonal shift from traditional biblical epics to a more music‑driven romance.

What was the age gap between Ruth and Boaz?

Biblical interpretation of ages

The Bible never gives the exact ages of Ruth or Boaz. Traditional rabbinic commentary suggests Boaz was older—possibly in his 80s—while Ruth was younger, but these are extrapolations, not Scripture (Wikipedia – biblical figure overview). The story emphasizes his maturity and social standing, not a specific number.

Film portrayal and casting ages

In the 2025 film, Tyler Lepley (born 1989) and Serayah (born 1995) have a real‑life age gap of about 7 years. The film’s character description for Boaz says “40‑year‑old” (Netflix Tudum). Serayah, born in 1995, was 29–30 during filming. So the on‑screen gap is roughly a decade, much smaller than traditional interpretations.

The trade‑off: the film makes the romance feel contemporary and age‑appropriate for a modern audience, but sacrifices the biblical notion of Boaz as a much older, fatherly protector. For viewers curious about the traditional age gap, the Bible remains ambiguous.

Where was Ruth and Boaz filmed?

Primary filming locations

The film was shot in Georgia, USA, consistent with Tyler Perry’s production base. Specific soundstages at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta were used for interior scenes (Netflix Tudum). Exterior scenes—especially the vineyard—were filmed in rural Georgia to evoke the agricultural setting of the biblical story.

Set design and inspiration

The production designed Boaz’s vineyard as a lush, modern winery, contrasting sharply with the ancient barley fields of the Bible. The Atlanta hip‑hop clubs and Ruth’s recording studio reflect the contemporary music angle. According to the Netflix Tudum – production article, the goal was a “blend of rural serenity and urban energy.”

Why this matters: filming in Georgia leveraged tax incentives and Perry’s established infrastructure, keeping production costs manageable while delivering a polished visual look. Viewers expecting authentic Middle Eastern landscapes will instead see a distinctly American South backdrop.

How many wives did Boaz have in the Bible?

Biblical account of Boaz’s marital status

The Book of Ruth records that Boaz married Ruth. No mention is made of any other wife. The text simply says: “So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife” (Ruth 4:13, Bible Gateway – King James Version). There is no reference to polygamy or previous marriages.

Interpretations and cultural context

Boaz is consistently described as a “worthy man” (Ruth 2:1) and a kinsman‑redeemer, a legal role that required a man of standing. Polygamy was practiced in biblical times, but nothing in the text suggests Boaz had multiple wives. The 2025 film also presents Boaz as a single, never‑married man, picking up that interpretation.

The catch: some popular speculation, often based on later Jewish tradition or novels like Redeeming Love, imagines Boaz as an older widower. But the Bible itself is silent. For anyone asking “how many wives did Boaz have?”, the definitive answer from Scripture is: one—Ruth.

The pattern: the film aligns with the biblical account, showing Boaz as a single man.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

What this confirms: the key facts are well‑documented from official sources, while the unknowns leave room for viewer interpretation.

Quotes from the film’s creative team

“Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”

— Book of Ruth 1:16 (KJV), quoted by Bible Gateway

“Ruth is a soulful, talented singer with a complex past, determined to find her voice.”

— Official synopsis via Netflix Tudum – production article

“This is a modern‑day retelling that brings the timeless story of Ruth and Boaz into a contemporary setting.”

— DeVon Franklin, producer, via Netflix Tudum

These three quotes—one ancient, one synopsis, one from a producer—frame the film’s core tension: staying faithful to the spirit of the original story while giving it a contemporary voice.

The implication: these two perspectives highlight the tension between biblical fidelity and modern adaptation.

Frequently asked questions

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For the modern viewer choosing between a biblical period piece and a contemporary romance, Ruth & Boaz lands firmly in the latter category. The implication for faith‑based audiences: you’ll find the heart of the ancient story, but don’t expect sandals and threshing floors. For fans of DeVon Franklin’s previous films, this is a familiar blend of spiritual message and mainstream production values. For newcomers, Serayah’s performance offers a gateway to the original Book of Ruth—with a killer soundtrack.