Cherish The Day: Cast and Character Guide

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A character & show guide for OWN’s Cherish The Day featuring cast members, character descriptions, and other noteworthy information.

Please Note: This content contains pertinent spoilers, descriptions are updated as new information is presented, images changed as better ones are captured, and this is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, guest star, or reoccurring role.

General Information

Network(s)	OWN
Created By	Ava DuVernay
Based On	N/A
First Aired	2/11/2020
Executive Produced By	Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes, Tanya Hamilton, Oprah Winfrey
Showrunner(s)	Tanya Hamilton

Groups & Organizations

• Dekkcore (Season 1): Where Evan works
• VFC – Nola (2.8): Ellis and Sunday’s joint venture to open a VFC in New Orleans

Notable Locations & Items

• VFC (2.3): Vegetarian Food Collective – Sunday’s restaurant

Terminology

• Zuberi (Season 1): The name of the company Evan wants to start

Other Noteworthy Information

• Time Length (Season 1): Covers 5 years
  • Season 1: A year passes between episode 1 and 2, 3 months between 2 and 3, a year and a month have passed since Gently and Evan started dating in episode 4, and in episode 6, it is two years since Evan launched Zuberi and two years since Gently moved into Evan’s house. By episode 7, Evan and Genrly have been married two years and three months and at episode 8, it has been 8 years since Gently worked for Miss Luma.
• Time Length (Season 2)
  • 1 Month (2.4): Only a month has passed
• Anthology (General): Each season a new couple will be featured
• Their Song (2.2): We’re told Ellis and Sunday’s song is K-Ci and Jojo’s “All My Life”
• Last Seen (2.2): Ellis and Sunday last saw each other when they were 17

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Ellis Moran (Henry Simmons)

Ellis is the owner of E&B Quality Plumbing, a business that mostly focuses on new construction, and he is a former basketball player. Note: He didn’t play in the NBA but did go semi-pro before retiring due to injuries and a growing addiction to painkillers and alcohol. But he has gotten sober, got married, is now separated, and has two daughters, Everly and Bree.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Agent Alphonso ‘Mack’ Mackenzie in “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Isaac in “Madea’s Family Reunion,” and Jeffrey in “No Good Deed.”

Quotes

“Can’t fix nothing if we don’t talk about it.”
— Ellis (2.1)

Sunday St. James (Joy Bryant)

Sunday owns a restaurant in Atlanta and went to school at Clark Atlanta University but is originally from New Orleans. 

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Lori Foster in “Trinkets,” Marie Wallace in “For Life,” and Jasmine Trussell in “Parenthood.”
• Father/Daughter Time (2.5): The past time between her and MV was fishing, and Sunday caught her first fish when she was 4
• Mother’s Name (2.8): Is Yvonne

Quotes

I need the front to treat ‘em right, the back to feed ‘em right and together we’re all gonna be all right.
— Sunday (2.3)

You give meaning to your name, not the other way around.
— Sunday to Bree (2.5)

We can’t fish into the past and expect to fix the present.
— Sunday (2.6)

I’m still hungry, I’m just not thirsty.
— Sunday (2.7)

Mandeville ‘MV’ St. James (Richard Roundtree)

MV is Sunday’s father, often referred to by Ellis as “The Judge” who is at a point in his life where his memory isn’t what it used to be.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Grandpa in “Family Reunion,” John Shaft in “Shaft,” Charles Floyd in “Star,” and Paul Patterson, Sr in “Being Mary Jane”
• Name Pronouncement (2.6): Man-de-Ville

Quotes

Lynette (Tinashe Kajese)

Lynette is Sunday’s cousin who looks after MV while Sunday is in Atlanta.

Additional Information

• Introduced In:Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Danielle in “Christmas Deja Vu,” Flo Crawley in “The Suicide Squad,” and Young Sadie in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.”

Quotes

Brother Fingers (Todd Anthony Manaigo)

Brother Fingers was the drum major at McDonogh 35 Senior High School and claims to be able to play 68 different instruments. 

Additional Information

• Introduced In:Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Roman in “All the Queen’s Men,” Darrell in “Boomerang (TV Series),” and Conrad Johnson in “American Soul.”

Quotes

Anastasia (Terri J. Vaughn)

Anastasia is Ellis’ soon-to-be ex-wife and mother of his children, who had an affair with her road manager when she was on tour, singing lead.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Lovita Alizay Jenkins Robinson in “The Steve Harvey Show,” Jonelle Abrahams in “All Of Us,” and Melisse in “Greenleaf”
• Government Name (2.6): Anastasia Michele Moran

Quotes

Bree Moran (Samantha Wilson)

Bree is Anastasia and Ellis’ youngest daughter.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• Interests (2.5): Likes Greek mythology and legos

Quotes

Everly Moran (Josephine Lawrence)

Everly is Ellis and Anastasia’s eldest child.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 1 “Rain Has Drops”
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Corinne in “Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” Teenage Deidre in “If Not Now, When?” and Georgina in “9-1-1.”
• Age (2.2): Everly is 15 years old

Quotes

Momo (Allison Mills Newman)

Momo is Sunday’s maternal grandmother.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 2 ” Sun Has Shine”  
• Known For (2.2): Her coconut cake, as well as her various recipes that inspired Sunday to learn how to cook

Quotes & Gifs

Randy (Sophina Brown)

Randy is an artist, heading to Nashville, who meets Ellis while stopping at Aunt Vi’s Pies.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 3 

Quotes & Gifs

Don’t you love it when someone can take something that’s accessible to everybody and just complicate it, in the best way.
— Randy (2.3)

Toi (De’Marcus Monroe)

Toi is one of Sunday’s close friends, who works in public relations.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 3 

Quotes & Gifs

Mindu (Amee Vyas)

Mindu is Sunday’s sous chef at VFC.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 3 
• Son (2.6): Has a son named Arun that Sunday is the godmother of
• Partner (2.6): Has a partner named Robin

Quotes & Gifs

Pia (Tequilla Whitfield)

Pia is Sunday’s friend, who is also her hair braider, and aspires to own her own salon.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 3 

Quotes & Gifs

Hosea (Jason Mimms)

Nicknamed “Mr. Moorehouse” by Sunday’s friends, Hosea has been a friend with benefits to Sunday for a while. Not because he didn’t want to be with her exclusively, but because she always had so much going on and while he was willing to make time for her, to be in something serious, the feeling wasn’t mutual. 

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 4
• The Actor Is Also Known For Playing: Greg in “Stuck With You”

Quotes

Danny (Leith M. Burke)

Danny is Anastasia’s manager, partner, and the person she cheated on Ellis with.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 5
• The Actor’s Past and Future Roles Include: Charlie Dax in “Bosch,” Derrick in “Eastsiders,” Byron Marshall in “The Haves and the Have Nots”

Quotes

Jesse (JonAvery Worrell)

Jessie is Everly’s close friend who isn’t her boyfriend currently, but she does care about him.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 5
• The Actor’s Past and Future Roles Include: Trystan in “Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas”

Quotes

Shane McKissick (Palmer Williams Jr)

Shane is a major international investor, who Hosea has meet Sunday about investing in a second location for the VCF.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 7
• The Actor’s Past and Future Roles Include: Floyd in “House of Payne,” “Laugh to Keep From Crying,” “The Haves and the Have Nots” and “Love Thy Neighbor”

Quotes

Tanya Holland

Tanya Holland is a celebrity chef who features Sunday on her show.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 7
• The Actor’s Past and Future Roles Include: Herself in “Selena + Chef,” “Top Chef,” and Tanya’s Kitchen Table

Quotes

Mr. Moran (Lance E. Nichols) and Mrs. Moran (Renee Ford Clark)

Ellis’ parents.

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 8
• The Actor’s Past and Future Roles Include: in “”

Quotes

Donna (Kim Baptiste)

Donna is the first nurse MV likes and who can roll with the highs and lows of his Alzheimers. 

Additional Information

• Introduced In: Season 2/ Episode 8
• The Actor’s Past and Future Roles Include: in “”
• Divorced (2.8): She was divorced twice

Quotes

Gently James

Played By	Xosha Roquemore
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 1 “Genesis” [Series Premiere]

Character Introduction

A world traveler, who dispels the idea a college education is necessary to make it in life, Gently is a bold yet sensitive soul who, despite a rough upbringing, is loving, spirited, and usually the smartest in the room.

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Additional Information About The Character

• 1.1: She is from West Adams

  • According to Miss Luma, she usually goes for big and dumb.

  • Her dad died when she was 9.

• 1.2: Spent a year and a half working for Miss Luma.

  • She isn’t necessarily denominational, when it comes to church, but does have faith.

  • Is a taurus

  • Has traveled through most of Europe, but has also been to Dubai, Nigeria, and Kenya

    • One place she really wants to go to, maybe live permanently, is Zimbabwe, but specifically Victoria Falls.

• 1.3: Father was known as “Lucky Buddy”

• 1.8: Works for Everyday Citizen Media running their podcast division.

Quotes

You’re love is turning me into someone new.
— Gently “Basis”

Just ‘cause I’m good at it don’t mean it’s my calling,
— Gently

Evan

Played By	Alano Miller
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 1 “Genesis” [Series Premiere]

Character Introduction

A Stanford graduate from South Bay who currently works at Dekkcore as a data analysis. His dream, currently, is to use his experience to start a wellness app named Zuberi.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

• 1.2: Is a believer, but isn’t necessarily fond of going to church.

• 1.2: Born and raised in LA, and loves the city.

  • 1.2: Specifically born 8/8/89 – making him a Leo

• 1.2: Is into anime

• 1.2: Has been collecting records since middle school

• 1.7: Is no longer the chCEO of Zuberi

Quotes

I am a company man, just not for this company.
— Evan | 1.1

Miss Luma Langston

Played By	Cicely Tyson
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 1 “Genesis” [Series Premiere]

Character Introduction

A legendary actress primarily known for the film “Diamond of Dixie” and whose career was unfortunately plagued with lack of opportunity. In total, she did 6 films in which she mostly played maids and sidekicks and after leaving the industry she taught drama to make a living.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

• 1.1: Was well known for her singing voice that brought her international fame.

Ben

Played By	Michael Beach
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 1 “Genesis” [Series Premiere]

Character Introduction

A former gang member who, after Gently’s father died, became a father figure to her.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

• 1.5: Is from Crenshaw

• 1.5 Graduated school in 1982 

Sanah

Played By	Felisha Anoa’i
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 1 “Genesis” [Series Premiere]

Character Introduction

A local thrift shop owner that Gently meets, with Evan, while looking for a refrigerator for Miss Luma.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

•  

Rika

Played By	Loren Lott
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 2 “Synthesis”

Character Introduction

One of Gently’s friends, since 9th grade, who wants to get out of Los Angeles and plans to exit through being a flight attendant.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

• 1.8: Is pregnant.

Nick

Played By	Larry Bates
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 2 “Synthesis”

Character Introduction

Evan’s friend, since college, who doesn’t support Evan and Gently’s relationship after Gently abandoned Evan in Carson.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

•  1.4: Separated from Evan’s sister

Ty

Played By	Leland B Martin
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 2 “Synthesis”

Character Introduction

One of Gently’s suitors who she doesn’t take seriously and mostly sees as someone to have something fun with, not anything serious.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

•  

Ellene

Played By	Kellee Stewart
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 3 “Oasis”

Character Introduction

Evan’s sister, Marilyn and Johnny’s daughter, who is a mother of one and struggles with her mother’s judgement.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

•  

Marilyn

Played By	Anne-Marie Johnson
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 3 “Oasis”

Character Introduction

Evan and Ellene’s mother who was a debutante and it can be assumed she is part of the AKA sorority.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

• 1.5: Is allergic to lemons

  • Likes rum cake
• 1.8: Has become a minister.

Johnny

Played By	Dorien Wilson
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 3 “Oasis”

Character Introduction

Evan and Ellene’s father who is a former track star that, in his old age, has a bit of a drinking problem.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About The Character

• He’s been married to Marilyn for 40 years.
• 1.5: Is from Dorsey

Jasmine

Played By	Camryn Jones
First Noted In	Season 1 Episode 3 “Oasis”

Character Introduction

Ellene’s daughter who doesn’t often see eye to eye with her mother.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information

Barbara (Diane Venora)

Character Description

First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 6

Miss Luma’s agent who has represented her for years. However, like many of the Black artists she has represented, she has struggled to get them to the place they deserve.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About Barbara

• 1.6: Is Jewish

 Quotes

Jaydo (Tory Devon Smith)

Character Description

First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 6

Evan’s business partner at Zuberi who butts heads with Evan over getting a venture capitalist, Maha specifically, involved in their business.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About Jaydo

Quotes

Maha (Kim Thomson) & Breno (Philip Anthony-Rodriguez)

Character Description

First Noted In – Season 1, Episode 6

Maha is a well-known venture capitalist, as well as data raider, who is Swiss and loves herself some bourbon. Her husband is Bruno who is Portuguese, with family in Bahia, where he is from.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About Maha and Breno

 Quotes

Philip (Joshua Brockington)

Character Introduction

First Noted In – Season 1 Episode 8 “Catharsis” [Season Finale]

Gently’s replacement when she no longer is Miss Luma’s personal assistant.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About Philip