Last year, Netflix announced that it will expand upon the critically-acclaimed 2014 filmDear White Peoplewith a new TV series on thestreaming servicebearing the same name. Writer-directorJustin Simienreturned to write all 10 episodes and direct the pilot episode, and yesterday, during a Netflix presentation in New York City, the streaming service unveiled the first trailer, which announces that the series will premiere on April 28.
Set against the backdrop of a predominantly white Ivy League university whereracial tensionsbubble just below the surface,Dear White Peopleis an hilarious send-up of “post-racial” America that weaves together the universal story of finding one’s own identity and forging a wholly unique path. The satirical series, which picks up where the acclaimed 2014 film by the same name left off, follows a group of Winchester University’s students of color as they navigate a diverse landscape of social injustice, cultural bias, political correctness (or lack thereof) and sometimes misguided activism in the millennial age. Through an absurdist lens,Dear White Peopleutilizes biting irony, self-deprecation and sometimes brutal honesty to hold up a mirror to the issues plaguing society today, all the while leading with laughter. Here’s what series creatorJustin Simienhad to say about the series when it was first announced last May.
“During the film’s release, I had the pleasure to speak with hundreds of students and faculty across a variety ofcollege campusesdealing with these very issues in real time. I’m so grateful to have this platform, not only to give a voice to those too often unheard in our culture, but to also tell great stories from new points of views. From day one, Lionsgate has been remarkably supportive of the vision for the show, and working with Netflix is every bit as harmonious as I’d imagined it would be. Bringing this show to such a vibrant platform is an honor I don’t take lightly.”
TheNetflixseries starsAntoinette Robertsonas Coco Conners,Ashley Blaine Feathersonas Joelle Brooks,Brandon P. Bellas Troy Fairbanks, reprising his same role from the movie,Brant Daughertyas Thane Lockwood,DeRon Hortonas Lionel Higgins,Jemar Michaelas Al,Jeremy Tardyas Rashid Bakr,John Patrick Amedorias Gabe,Logan Browningas Samantha White,Marque Richardsonas Reggie,Nia Jervieras Kelsey,Nia Longas Neika Hobbs andWyatt Nashas Kurt Fletcher. The original film first gained traction in 2012 with aconcept trailer, underwritten by directorSimien’s tax refund. By 2014, the crowd funded movie made a splash at film festivals, earning the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.
The series is written bySimien(Dear White People), who will also direct the first episode.Devon Shepard(House of Lies,Weeds),Stephanie Allain Bray(Hustle & Flow,Dear White People) andJulia Lebedev(The Dinner,Dear White People) serve as executive producers.Dear White Peopleis Lionsgate’s second original series for Netflix. The critically-acclaimed global blockbusterOrange Is The New Blackreturns for its fifth season on June 9. Take a look at thefirst trailerbelow for Dear White People.
