{"id":72822,"date":"2015-08-11T17:19:13","date_gmt":"2015-08-11T17:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2015\/08\/11\/lena-waithe-common-to-create-coming-of-age-drama-for-showtime\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T03:41:56","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T03:41:56","slug":"lena-waithe-common-to-create-coming-of-age-drama-for-showtime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/lena-waithe-common-to-create-coming-of-age-drama-for-showtime\/","title":{"rendered":"Lena Waithe & Common To Create Coming-of-Age Drama For Showtime"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lena Waithe & Common To Create Coming-of-Age Drama For Showtime<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

August 11, 2015<\/p>\n

\"Lena<\/a><\/p>\n

Showtime announced that it has given a pilot order to a one-hour drama created, executive produced and written by Lena Waithe<\/strong> (Dear White People, \u201cBones\u201d) and executive produced by Grammy and Academy Award winner Common<\/strong> (Selma, Smokin\u2019 Aces). Produced by Fox 21, the untitled project is said to be \u201ca relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story of a young African American male in which just growing up can be a matter of life and death.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to Waithe and Common, the pilot will be executive produced by Aaron Kaplan<\/strong> (\u201cSecrets and Lies,\u201d \u201cThe Mysteries of Laura\u201d) and directed and executive produced by Clark Johnson<\/strong> (\u201cHomeland,\u201d \u201cThe Wire\u201d) and will begin shooting in Chicago later this year.<\/p>\n

\"Clark<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe two creative forces behind the show, both hailing from Chicago\u2019s South Side, give this pilot an unparelled authenticity,\u201d<\/strong> says David Nevins, President, Showtime Networks Inc. \u201cLena Waithe is an extremely fresh, talented young writer with a unique voice and a deeply thoughtful perspective into the world where she grew up. I immediately gravitated to her script, which is emotional, funny, tragic and relevant, all at once. And, we are so fortunate to have artist and visionary Common for his first producing project in scripted television.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Lena<\/a><\/p>\n

Waithe is a writer, producer and actor who was recently named \u201cone of ten comics to watch\u201d by Variety. She produced the award-winning, top-grossing indie film, Dear White People<\/strong>, which earned a Special Jury Prize at Sundance. She is the creator of the comedy pilot, \u201cTwenties.\u201d<\/strong> Waithe\u2019s writing credits include the drama series \u201cBones\u201d<\/strong>; the viral video \u201cSh*t Black Girls Say;\u201d<\/strong> and webisodes about online dating, \u201cHello Cupid.\u201d<\/strong> She also wrote and directed a short film Save Me that appeared at several indie film festivals.<\/p>\n

\"Common<\/a><\/p>\n

Born and raised on Chicago\u2019s South Side, Common has garnered multiple Grammy Awards throughout his career. His tenth studio album \u201cNobody\u2019s Smiling\u201d<\/strong> debuted at No. 1 on Billboard\u2019s Top R&B\/Hip Hop Chart in 2014. In addition to his award-winning music career, Common has done extensive work in film and television in addition to his multiple written works (\u201cThe Mirror and Me,\u201d \u201cI Like You But I Love Me\u201d<\/strong>, and the New York Times best seller, \u201cOne Day It\u2019ll All Make Sense\u201d<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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