Critical popcorn

Back in July 2020, we first shared the news of the upcoming Kaepernick series, which is just below, and today we get our first look at what Colin and Ava DuVernay have created, this should definitely be one to watch out for, now the streaming date has been confirmed as 29 October!

Colin in Black & White stars Jaden Michael as Young Colin before reaching the highest levels of American football as an NFL quarterback and becoming a cultural icon and activist; Nick Offerman and Mary-Louise Parker as his well-meaning parents Rick and Teresa; and Colin Kaepernick himself, who appears as the present-day narrator of his own story, guiding viewers through a robust and colorfully presented array of historical and contemporary contextual moments. You don’t know Kaepernick until you know Colin, and here’s your first look:

JULY 2020: While American Football isn’t my ‘thing’, it all falls by the wayside when you realise the stage and impact that Colin Kaepernick has had in recent years on becoming a political activist. He’s taken the conversation beyond sport, by which is using his image and leading important discussions that, in turn, has helped fuel the Black Lives Matter movement, a cause that is long overdue.

This new 6-episode series, Colin in Black & White, is set to provide an introspective look at Kaepernick’s early life as a Black child growing up with a white adopted family and his journey to become a great quarterback, while defining his identity.

Coming to Netflix as a scripted limited series, Kaepernick has teamed up with the excellent filmmaker Ava DuVernay. The series will focus on his formative high school years, lending meaningful insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today. Michael Starrbury (who also worked on the powerful When They See Us) writes and serves as executive producer, alongside DuVernay and Kaepernick, the latter who will appear as himself as the narrator.

Ava had this to say:

“With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally. Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix.”

Kaepernick also commented:

“Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens. We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face. We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years. It’s an honour to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.”

Colin in Black & White comes to Netflix from 29 October!