OWN has dropped the full trailer for David Makes Man. The series is from Moonlight writer Tarell Alvin McCraney and is exec produced by Michael B. Jordan. The trailer has been unveiled after the series had a first look teaser released at Sundance.
The cast is toplined by newcomer Akili McDowell in the title role, who stars alongside Phylicia Rashad. The ensemble cast also includes Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, Alana Arenas, Isaiah Johnson, Ade Chike Torbert, Jordan Bolger, Cayden K. Williams and Travis Coles. Dee Harris-Lawrence is the showrunner and executive produces alongside McCraney (who wrote the script), Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Mike Kelley and Melissa Loy.
David Makes Man centers on David (McDowell), a 14-year-old prodigy from the projects who is haunted by the death of his closest friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty. He must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out. Set in South Florida, the lyrical drama, inspired by events in McCraney’s own life, explores the inherent trauma sustained in the fight for survival.
A premiere date has been set for August 14 at 10 p.m., airing with limited commercials.
Watch the trailer below:
Here are the official descriptions of the characters: McDowell’s David is a ferociously observant, instinct-driven, passionate teenager, who toggles between two distinct personas that reflect his surroundings and metabolizes his world like a chameleon, but not without exacting an emotional price; Alana Arenas plays David’s hard-working single mother Gloria, a former drug user with a smile that melts and while rarely home, she wants better for her kids than what they’ve got; Isaiah Johnson plays Sky, an enigmatic and wise dope dealer who is also David’s close friend and occasional mentor in the projects; Travis Coles portrays Ms. Elijah, gender queer and assigned male at birth and doesn’t consider herself ‘trans,’ but always thought of herself as both, Mx. Elijah doesn’t disclose pronouns as long as it’s with respect – a long-time Homestead Village resident who knows a great deal, but discusses few; Phylicia Rashad plays Dr. Woods-Trap, the lithe, alive, quick-witted and intimidating teacher that is motherly yet firm toward David, seeing something very special in him and remains an advocate for him; Nathaniel Logan McIntyre plays Seren, David’s incredibly vulnerable best friend at the magnet school for academically gifted kids who takes a risk by revealing a painful secret to David; Cayden K. Williams plays Jonathan “JG” Greg, David’s rough-and-tumble younger brother, who acts tough in front of his peers but still needs his big brother and mom to be there for him; Ade Chike Torbert is Raynan, the local drug dealer running the movements in The Ville who talks a good game about taking care of the neighborhood and running things for Sky while also attempting to connect with David the way Sky did, except he seeks a disciple not a friend or brother; Jordan Bolger plays Shinobi, Raynan’s second-in-command who nearly comes to blows with David, whom he resents.
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WATCH: OWN Premieres Trailer For Powerful New Drama ‘David Makes Man’ At Sundance
Photo: OWN
