Netflix is bringing Ava DuVernay and Colin Kaepernick’s limited series Colin in Black & White to television on Oct. 29.
The streamer unveiled a first look Thursday at the six-episode scripted drama, which “chronicles Kaepernick’s coming-of-age story, tackling the obstacles of race, class, and culture as the Black adopted child of a white family.”
“I’m excited to share this first peek into a project I co-created with the incomparable Ava DuVernay over the past couple of years. I look forward to the world meeting the incredible Jaden Michael, a young actor who plays me during my high school years, just a kid growing up in Turlock, California who wanted to play ball,” Kaepernick said in a statement.
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It’s been incredible to create COLIN IN BLACK AND WHITE with @ava and @StarrburyMike. Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to bring these stories to life. The series premieres on @netflix Oct 29. pic.twitter.com/UWK6gfsKBE
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) August 12, 2021
The activist and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback also shared the newly-released photos on Twitter, which show series star Jaden Michael (Vampires vs. the Bronx) walking the halls of a high school as a Kaepernick.
In another image, co-stars Mary-Louise Parker and Nick Offerman proudly look on as Kaepernick’s adoptive parents Rick and Teresa. The images also show Kaepernick watching the project.
Netflix announced the six-episode series with DuVernay and Kaepernick serving as co-executive producers. The project reunites DuVernay with her When They See Us collaborator Michael Starrbury, who serves as a writer and co-executive producer.
DuVernay directed the first episode, while Sheldon Candis, Robert Townsend, Angel Kristi Williams, and Kenny Leon helmed the remaining episodes. Kaepernick serves as narrator of Colin in Black & White.
The quarterback became a free agent after he sparked controversy in 2016, by taking a knee during the national anthem at NFL games to protest police violence and systemic racism.
He settled a multi-million dollar collusion lawsuit with the NFL in February 2019.
