Kevin Rodney Sullivan Director Angela Bassett Stella Payne Actor Taye Diggs Winston Shakespeare Actor Regina King Vanessa Actor Whoopi Goldberg Delilah Abraham Actor Suzzanne Douglas Angela Actor Michael J. Pagan Quincy Payne Actor Sicily Johnson Chantel Actor Richard Lawson Jack Actor Barry Shabaka Henley Buddy Actor Lee Weaver Nate Actor Glynn Turman Dr. Shakespeare Actor Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Mrs. Shakespeare Actor Lou Myers Uncle Ollie Actor James Pickens Jr. Walter Payne Actor Carl Lumbly Judge Spencer Boyle Actor Terry McMillan Writer, Executive Producer Ronald Bass Writer, Executive Producer Jennifer Ogden Executive Producer Deborah Schindler Producer Michel Colombier Original Music Jeff Jur Cinematographer George Bowers Film Editing Francine Maisler Casting Chester Kaczenski Production Design Marc Dabe Art Director Judi Giovanni Set Decoration