The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has greenlighted a new drama from the Academy Award winning Moonlight co-writer Tarell Alvin McCraney.
According to Variety, the openly gay writer will create, write, and produce the television show, inspired by his own life. The currently untitled series is set in South Florida post-Obama, and 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."
Director Barry Jenkins and McCraney won an Academy Award earlier this year for co-writing Moonlight, which was based on McCraney’s semi-autobiographical play, In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.
"When Tarell shared his powerful story with us there wasn’t a dry eye in the room," Winfrey told Variety. "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." Michael B. Jordan (Creed, Black Panther) is also signed onto the project as an executive producer.
“I wanted to explore the pivotal steps towards adulthood and identity," McCraney told Variety. "The ones we take when we think or feel we have no other choice."