Starz is not moving forward with Ava DuVernay’s untitled, romantic drama series that was set to star Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff.
As Variety reported exclusively, the decision was made after DuVernay parted ways with her overall deal with Warner Bros. Television in May. DuVernay’s series is just the latest casualty from Starz, which has axed shows such as Heels, Run the World and Blindspotting.
DuVernay’s series, which had a script commitment for three seasons upon an official greenlight, was also set to be executive-produced by Jackson and Ridloff.
Here was the initially-reported description for the series:
The half-hour drama will chronicle what it takes to fall and stay in a radical, rebellious love. One person is ambitious, while the other is restless. One is ready to commit, while the other debates the merits of relationships. One is Black and one is white. One is deaf and one is not. Though wildly different, the two are emotionally and physically drawn to each other despite personal expectations and public assumptions. Their attraction passionately disrupts notions of race, gender, class, physical ability, and normative culture, elevating to true love that surpasses difference.
“There is nothing like this series on TV and we are thrilled to be in development with Ava, a trailblazer and unparalleled champion of diversity,” said Kathryn Busby, President, Original Programming, STARZ, in an official statement at the time. “Lauren is a true inspiration and together with Joshua, a brilliant veteran actor, they will bring their incredible talents to this project – both in front of and behind the camera. This series exemplifies our #TakeTheLead mission, and we couldn’t be prouder.”