Ava DuVernay Romantic Drama in the Works at Starz, Lauren Ridloff Stars

Television

Ava DuVernay Romantic Drama in the Works at Starz, Lauren Ridloff Stars

Ava DuVernay has yet another project in the works. The prolific Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated multi-hyphenate is set to reteam with one of writers and directors of “Queen Sugar,” Kat Candler, and one of the star’s of “When They See Us,” Joshua Jackson, on an untitled romantic drama for Starz. The latter, last seen in “Dr. Death,” will topline the potential series alongside Lauren Ridloff, whose credits include “Eternals” and “The Walking Dead.” Candler will write the first episode, showrun, and serve as exec producer. “The network has given the untitled project a three-season script-to-series commitment, meaning that if greenlit, all 18 half-hour episodes (six per season) would air,” per The Hollywood Reporter. 

Ridloff and Jackson will play “polar opposites — one ambitious, one restless; one ready to commit, one commitment-phobic; one Black, one white; one deaf, one hearing — who are romantically drawn to one another in spite of all social assumptions and personal expectations.”

DuVernay, whose recent TV credits include “Naomi,” “DMZ,” and “One Perfect Shot,” is among the project’s exec producers, as are Ridloff and Jackson.

“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,” Starz president of original programming Kathryn Busby said in a statement. “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.”

Starz’s first #TakeTheLead summit, which is part of the network’s overall commitment to telling inclusive stories, took place yesterday, May 19.

DuVernay’s “13th,” an exploration of the American prison system, was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2017 Oscars. Her other film credits include Best Picture nominee “Selma” and fantasy adaptation “A Wrinkle in Time.”

“Truth Be Told,” “13 Reasons Why,” and “Dirty John” are among Candler’s credits.