Netflix Orders Dear White People Comedy Series

Netflixhas ordered a TV adaptation of Justin Simiens 2014 indie comedyDear White Peoplefor 2017.

Like the film, the Netflix series will follow a group of students of color dealing withthe various problemsof young adult life while also grappling with issues of race, privilege and power at a fictional Ivy League college.

During the films release, I had the pleasure to speak with hundreds of students and faculty across a variety of college campuses dealing with these very issues in real time, Simien said. Im so grateful to have this platform not only to give a voice to those too often unheard in our culture, but to also tell great stories from new points of views.

Casting decisions for Dear White People have yet to be announced and its unclear if the series will follow the same set of characters as the movie. The film starred Tessa Thompson, Tyler James Williams, Teyonah Parris, Dennis Haysbert, Malcolm Barrett and Brandon Bell.

Simien crafted Dear White People from a concept trailer he made using atax refund. The film itself was crowd-funded and earned high praise at various festivals. Since, Simien has beentapped to direct the comedy, Make a Wish, starring Captain Americas Anthony Mackie, anddevelop a musical for Macro, a new production banner focusingprojects for multicultural audiences.