Hulu commenced casting for its upcoming scripted drama series on the start of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Shameik Moore, Ashton Sanders, Siddiq Saunderson, Marcus Callender, Zolee Griggs and Erika Alexander have been tapped for the series.
Created and written by Alex Tse (Superfly) and group frontman RZA, Wu-Tang: An American Saga has a 10-episode order from the streamer. Method Man is among the executive producers. Ghostface Killa, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and GZA are consulting producers. Chris Robinson will direct and co-executive produce the pilot.
The official description: Set in early ’90s New York at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, the show tracks the Clan’s formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs aka The RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, Black men that are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories.
The character descriptions are as follows:
Sanders will play Bobby (aka the RZA), described “as creative and thoughtful underneath a hardened exterior. Bobby Diggs is accustomed to street life but can’t let go of his dreams about music. He’d rather mess with loops and records, but knows he has to step up in order to provide for his family. Having been raised on a farm by his uncle, Bobby has a different outlook on life than his friends and brothers. We’ll come to know him as hip-hop icon The RZA.”
Moore will portray Sha, described as “a gunner for drug dealer Power Grant, a kid who grew up on the streets who now wields a gun without blinking. He’s still got some innocence to him, however, and his friendship with Bobby makes it tough to carry out his orders.”
Saunderson will play Dennis/D-Love (aka Ghostface Killah), “a loving kid who would do anything to protect his friends and family. When he’s not taking care of his two younger brothers while his mom drinks herself to sleep, Dennis serves as the right-hand man to Bobby’s older brother Divine in their increasingly competitive drug dealing business based out of the Stapleton area. Dennis takes his role in Divine’s crew seriously; he’ll step up to any challenge if he feels threatened.”
Callender will play Power, described as “quiet and focused to an unsettling degree.” Power “is the top dog of Park Hill, an area in the projects that he and his gang control as the chief rivals to Divine’s crew in Stapleton.”
Griggs will play Shurrie. She’s described as “multi-talented and optimistic.” The character description reads, “Shurrie might be the second-youngest of four, but she’s basically the woman of the house. She’s taught herself how to care for others and take care of any issues around the home, all the while staying focused on school. Shurrie is in a relationship with Dennis that no one can know about.”
Alexander will play Linda, “an overworked mother of four who has been through hell and back. Now rid of her abusive husband, Linda spends most of her time at the rib shop working. She knows her relationship with her children has suffered, but has to put on a brave face and go to work in spite of it.”
There’s no word yet on when the series will debut.
Photo courtesy: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Earl Gibson III/Getty Images
READ MORE:
Wu-Tang Clan Drama Series Ordered At Hulu, Created By RZA And ‘Superfly’ Writer Alex Tse
