'Grand Army': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Netflix’s new teen drama
'Grand Army' is an upcoming Netflix teen drama series about five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn, New York. The series which deals with issues like sexuality, racism, and social justice is based on the 2013 'Slut: The Play' by Katie Cappiello, about the effects of slut-shaming and rape culture on young women.
However, the show has already attracted its share of bad publicity after three writers of color quit because of alleged “racist exploitation and abuse". Playwright and screenwriter Ming Peiffer made the accusations, spilling the tea on Twitter, about how showrunner Cappiello got Netflix's HR to pressure a Black writer in the room to get a haircut. Cappiello reportedly also pushed "poverty porn" storylines for its Black leads despite requests by the three writers of color not to do so.
It is interesting to note that the trailer and marketing of the film make it seem like the story is centered mostly around the specific challenges facing Black teens at this current moment and about them "being heard", despite the reported discrimination behind the scenes.
Release date
The series is scheduled to premiere on October 16, 2020.
Plot
According to Netflix’s official description, the show "tunnels into a generation that’s raging and rising. Five students at the largest public high school in Brooklyn take on our chaotic world as they fight to succeed, survive, wild out, break free, and seize the future."
Each of the main characters will reflect Brooklyn's diversity and deal with the problems that come with being a teen in America from a minority or marginalized background.
Cast
The main leads of 'Grand Army' are Odessa A’Zion, Odley Jean, Maliq Johnson, Amalia Yoo, and Amir Bageria who go to the same school. The five young stars are joined by the supporting cast of Alphonso Romero Jones, Crystal Sha’re Nelson, Marcela Avelina, and others.
Maliq Johnson is Jayson Jackson, who has previously appeared in 'Skin' and 'When They See Us'.
Odley Jean plays Dominique Pierre and is a newcomer.
Amalia Yoo is Leila Zimmer, also a newcomer.
Odessa A’Zion is Joey Del Marco. She has previously starred in 'Fam', 'Nashville', and 'Wayne'.
Amir Bageria plays Sid Pakam. Bageria has previously starred in 'Degrassi: Next Class' and 'Resolve'.
Creator
The show is an adaptation of Katie Cappiello’s 2013 play about the effects of slut-shaming and rape culture on young women. Cappiello is a former teacher, who served as the creator, showrunner, and executive producer on the series commissioned by Netflix.
Trailer
The trailer starts with two teens playing the slow saxophone version of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at a station. The mournful bleat continues as the scene cuts to a group of students presenting the American flag in a gymnasium while some teen athletes kneel in a peaceful protest for Black Lives Matter. The trailer ends with a line from a Black female character saying: “We need someone to hear us”.
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