'David Makes Man': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know about the OWN show starring Akili McDowell
Oprah Winfrey and Michael B. Jordan have joined hands to roll out a new coming-of-age drama series. Centered around a 14-year-old prodigy, 'David Makes Man' follows the life of the young boy David, who needs to rise above the gang-infested streets of his poor neighborhood so he has a bright future. The one-hour lyrical drama has been directed by Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney ('Moonlight') as his first TV project.
Release date
The coming-of-age drama television series is all set to premiere on August 14, 2019, on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
Plot
'David Makes Man' centers on a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relies 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 series is inspired by events in McCraney's own life and explores childhood trauma and the power of imagination to survive.
Cast
Akili McDowell
Akili McDowell stars in the show as David, a ferociously observant, instinct-driven, passionate teenager, who toggles between two distinct personas that reflect his surroundings and metabolizes his world like a chameleon, but not without exacting an emotional price. The actor is known for his performance in the film 'The Astronaut Wives Club'.
Alana Arenas
Alana Arenas, who played a key role in 'Hall of Passes' plays David's hard-working single mother Gloria, a former drug user with a smile that melts and while rarely home, she wants better for her kids than what they've got.
Travis Coles
Travis Coles portrays Mx. Elijah, a gender queer and assigned male-at-birth who doesn't consider herself 'trans', but always thought of herself as both, Mx. Elijah doesn't disclose pronouns as long as it's with respect — a long-time Homestead Village resident who knows a great deal but discusses few. The actor is known for his comic roles, particularly his performance in 'Liza on Demand'.
Phylicia Rashad ('Creed II') plays Dr. Woods Trap, the lithe, alive, quick-witted and intimidating teacher who is motherly, yet firm to David, sees something very special in him and remains an advocate for him.
Nathaniel McIntyre ('Celebrity Ghost Stories') plays Seren, David's incredibly vulnerable best friend at the magnet school for academically gifted kids who takes a risk by revealing a painful secret to David. Cayden Williams ('Girls Trip') plays Jonathan 'JG' Greg, David's rough-and-tumble younger brother, who acts tough in front of his peers but still needs his big brother and mom to be there for him.
Ade Chike Torbert ('East LosHigh') is Raynan, the local drug dealer running the movements in The Ville who talks a good game about taking care of the neighborhood and running things for Sky while also attempting to connect with David the way Sky did, except he seeks a disciple, not a friend or brother. Jordan Bolger ('Peaky Blinders') plays Shinobi, Raynan's second-in-command who nearly comes to blows with David, whom he resents.
The series also features Tony winner and Emmy/Golden Globe nominee Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Elvis Nolasco, Gillian Williams, Juanita Jennings, LisaColon-Zayas, Lindsey Blackwell, Lela Rochon, and Nick Creegan, all with recurring roles.
Creators
Tarell Alvin McCraney
'David Makes Man' is a one-hour lyrical drama from Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney. He co-wrote the 2016 film 'Moonlight', based on his own play 'In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue' and also wrote the screenplay for the film 'High Flying Bird', which was directed by Steven Soderbergh and released by Netflix on February 8, 2019.
McCraney also serves as executive producer of the series alongside Dee Harris-Lawrence ('Shots Fired', 'Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.') who serves as showrunner. Mike Kelley and Melissa Loy ('Revenge') under their Page Fright production banner, Michael B. Jordan via his Outlier Society Productions and Oprah Winfrey are also executive producers.
Trailers
Where to watch
You can stream the series on OWN after it premieres on August 14.
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