Coming-of-Age Drama from Lena Waithe and Common Receives Pilot Order From Showtime

Showtime has given a pilot order to a one-hour drama created, executive produced and written by Lena Waithe (Dear White People, Bones) and executive produced by Grammy and Academy Award winner Common (Selma, Smokin' Aces). Produced by Fox 21, the untitled project is a 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. In addition to Waithe and Common, the pilot will be executive produced by Aaron Kaplan (Secrets and Lies, The Mysteries of Laura) and directed and executive produced by Clark Johnson (HOMELAND, The Wire) and will begin shooting in Chicago later this year. The announcement was made today by David Nevins, President, Showtime Networks Inc.

"The two creative forces behind the show, both hailing from Chicago's South Side, give this pilot an unparelled authenticity," said Nevins. "Lena 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."