Queen Sugar creator Ava DuVernay has a new romantic drama series in development with Starz. Starring Lauren Ridloff (The Walking Dead, Eternals) and Joshua Jackson, (Dr. Death, When They See Us), the series is part of Starz’s new #TakeTheLead Summit.
Currently unnamed, three seasons have already been ordered for the drama, which amounts to a total of 18 episodes. “STARZ and Warner Bros. Television have made a bold production commitment to immediately explore three seasons, and we’re revved up and ready to begin what I hope will be a beautiful journey for all involved,” said DuVernay.
The series will follow Ridloff and Jackson, two polar opposites who become enmeshed in a love affair that disrupts their lives and the lives of those around them.
Provided by Deadline, the synopsis reads as follows: “The half-hour drama will chronicle what it takes to fall and stay in a radical, rebellious love. One person is ambitious, while the other is restless. One is ready to commit, while the other debates the merits of relationships. One is Black and one is white. One is deaf and one is not. Though wildly different, the two are emotionally and physically drawn to each other despite personal expectations and public assumptions. Their attraction passionately disrupts notions of race, gender, class, physical ability, and normative culture, elevating to true love that surpasses difference.”
Ridloff and Jackson have previously worked together in Broadway’s Children of a Lesser God.
“There is nothing like this series on TV and we are thrilled to be in development with Ava, a trailblazer and unparalleled champion of diversity,” said Kathryn Busby, the President of original programming for STARZ. “Lauren is a true inspiration and together with Joshua, a brilliant veteran actor, they will bring their incredible talents to this project – both in front of and behind the camera. This series exemplifies our #TakeTheLead mission, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
