Omaha Native Jhoné Lucas Lands Leading Role in New ALLBLK Crime Drama ‘D.O.P.E. Unit’

An Omaha native is making her mark on the small screen.

Jhoné Lucas, who was born and raised in North Omaha, is a leading cast member of D.O.P.E. Unit, a new crime drama that premiered August 6 on ALLBLK. The eight-episode series follows an elite undercover task force working to infiltrate Philadelphia’s criminal underworld.

Lucas stars alongside Erica Peoples (True to the Game), Robert Ri’chard (Coach Carter), Supreme “Fre$h” Williams (RSVP), Johnell Young (Wu-Tang: An American Saga), Terayle Hill (All American) and Cornell Young IV (A Different World).

New episodes of D.O.P.E. Unit are being released weekly on ALLBLK.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible opportunities throughout my career, but D.O.P.E. Unit is a project that holds a special place for me,” Lucas said. “It’s a powerful story with an amazing cast, and it gave me the chance to challenge myself as an actress. I’m extremely proud of what we created and excited for audiences to finally see it—especially the people back home in Omaha who have supported me and my journey every step of the way.”

A Crime Drama Set in Philadelphia

Created by Thomas Walton, D.O.P.E. Unit centers on an elite group of undercover detectives tasked with taking down powerful drug networks in Philadelphia.

The story begins after the Philadelphia police chief’s son is killed in what appears to be a drug deal gone wrong. The chief responds by assembling an off-the-books undercover unit to investigate and dismantle the Roth crime family, one of the city’s most dangerous criminal organizations.

As the detectives become increasingly immersed in their undercover identities, the distinction between law enforcement and the criminal world begins to blur, putting their loyalties and lives at risk.

The series also features Trae Ireland (Hands), Casper Van Dien (Wednesday), Kristanna Loken (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines), Jeff Fahey (Fire Country), Brandon Quintin Adams (War Dawgz), and Ariday (Haus of Vicious).

Walton directed the series from a script he co-wrote with Damien Douglas, who also serves as showrunner and lead producer alongside Lux Angeles Studios.

Watch the official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KNBhFUpd9k

From North Omaha to Hollywood

For Lucas, the project represents the latest milestone in a professional acting career that began on stages in her hometown of Omaha and has now taken her to television screens around the country.

Her path to Hollywood began in Omaha, where her passion for performing developed at New Rising Star Baptist Church. The eldest of six children and daughter of the church’s pastor, Lucas began pursuing acting at a young age.

At 12, she landed her first professional theater contract with Omaha’s The Rose Theater, where she became a regular performer through age 17.

She later continued developing her skills at Omaha South High School’s Performing Arts Magnet before earning notable roles at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

After graduating from Creighton University, Lucas moved to New York City to pursue acting professionally. She eventually landed her first television role on Spike Lee’s Netflix comedy-drama series She’s Gotta Have It.

Now based in Los Angeles, Lucas has accumulated nearly 20 film and television credits spanning drama, comedy, and action.