“David Makes Man” is the first drama series from Tarell Alvin McCraney, the openly gay, Academy Award winning co-writer of the semi-autobiographical “Moonlight,” which also won the best picture Oscar.
The series, which also was inspired by events in McCraney’s life, explores childhood trauma and the power of imagination.
‘DAVID MAKES MAN’
“David Makes Man,” one of this year’s most anticipated series, will debut this summer on OWN. The first teaser trailer was released at the Sundance Film Festival last month.
“When we looked at the spectrum of life, we wanted to show it as true as it is today, as it was then,” McCraney said during a panel discussion after the trailer screening. “There’s a lexicon of things in our (African American community) that need to be seen and talked about.”
Tarell Alvin McCraney, the openly gay, Academy Award winning writer of the semi-autobiographical “Moonlight,” has written his first drama series, “David Makes Man.” Photo: John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Michael B. Jordan, one of the executive producers, showrunner/executive producer Dee Harris-Lawrence, and cast members Akili McDowell, Alana Arenas, and Phylicia Rashad also participated in the panel.
In “David Makes Man,” David is a 14-year-old prodigy from a state run housing project in South Florida who is haunted by the death of his best friend and eager to find a way out of poverty. David must choose between the streets that raised him and higher education that could offer him a way out.
McCraney is the chair of playwriting at the Yale School of Drama and a 2013 MacArthur Fellow.
‘MOONLIGHT’ OSCARS
“Moonlight” was based on McCraney’s script “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.”
Director Barry Jenkins co-wrote the “Moonlight” script with McCraney and shared the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
Phillip Zonkel cab be reached at 562-294-5996 or at [email protected].
