There's a new series coming to the Oprah Winfrey Network. Following a 14-year-old prodigy who must choose between the streets and higher education, the untitled drama comes from Moonlight co-writer and executive producer Tarell Alvin McCraney as well as actor Michael B. Jordan executive producing.
Via Variety:
It follows a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects haunted by the death of his closest friend who must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida at the end of the Obama era, the series was inspired by events in McCraney’s own life.
“I wanted to explore the pivotal steps towards adulthood and identity, the ones we take when we think or feel we have no other choice,” McCraney said.
A playwright, actor, and producer, McCraney received an Academy Award along with director Barry Jenkins for best adapted screenplay for co-writing “Moonlight,” which also won best picture. The movie was based on McCraney’s semi-autobiographical script “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.” He also currently serves as the chair of playwriting at the Yale School of Drama.
“When Tarell shared his powerful story with us there wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” Winfrey said. “I knew this was something special that our viewers will without a doubt connect to and feel compelled to explore with us. I am honored to be working with Tarell and the rest of the producers on this project.”
McCraney’s series will join OWN’s expanded lineup of scripted programming. The network most recently announced the new dramedy “Love Is __” from Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil adding to its roster of current dramas “Queen Sugar” and “Greenleaf,” which have both been picked up for third seasons. The network also airs the Tyler Perry dramas “The Haves and the Have Nots” and “If Loving You is Wrong.”
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