*Phylicia Rashad will anchor the cast for OWN’s new original drama series “David Makes Man,” a coming of age story that marks the television debut of Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney (“Moonlight”).
The story centers on a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida, the lyrical drama, inspired by events in McCraney’s own life, explores the inherent trauma sustained in the fight for survival.
Akili McDowell (The Astronaut Wives Club) is set to star as David, a young teenager and former block drug dealer from a state housing project in Homestead, Florida, who rides a bus every day to attend a magnet school for academically gifted kids. Aware of the expectations and perceptions other have of him, he has become an expert chameleon who toggles between two distinct personas that reflect his surroundings — but this exacts an emotional price.
Emmy nominee Rashad, who starred in McCraney’s play Head of Passes in 2017 and will appear in the upcoming “Creed” sequel starring Jordan, will star in “David Makes Man” as Dr. Woods-Trap, a respected and intimidating instructor at David’s middle school who is one of those teachers that students remember for the rest of their lives. Her assignments are challenging but rewarding, and her students genuinely like and respect her. Though firm with David, she sees something special in him and becomes his advocate.
McCraney wrote the coming-of-age drama and will serve as executive producer alongside Mike Kelley & Melissa Loy (Revenge), Michael B. Jordan (Creed) and Oprah Winfrey.
Dee Harris-Lawrence (Shots Fired, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.) has been named showrunner and will also join the executive producer team.
Production will begin on the drama this summer in Orlando, Florida, for a 2019 premiere.
Read more details about the cast below:
Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (Magic Camp and Barry) is set to play the role of David’s best friend, Seren. Seren holds painful secrets, and his relationship with David has recently become fraught.
Broadway actor Isaiah Johnson (Hamilton, The Color Purple) plays the role of David’s close friend, Sky, prone to quiz and give David advice.
Ade Chike Torbert (East Los High) will play Raynan, whose ties to the drug trade drive a wedge between him and David, despite Raynan’s desire to connect on behalf of their mutual friend.
Jordan Bolger (Peaky Blinders) is set for the role of Shinobi, Raynan’s second-in-command who, like Raynan, clashes with David.
Cayden K. Williams (Girls Trip) will play JG (Jonathan Greg), David’s rough-and-tumble younger brother, who is more vulnerable than one might expect.
Travis Coles (Liza on Demand) will play the genderqueer Ms. Elijah, a longtime Homestead Village resident who watches over David when his mother is away. Ms. Elijah knows all the skeletons of Homestead Village and its residents.
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