Ava DuVernay is taking us behind-the-scenes on the set of her upcoming "Central Park Five" Netflix series. Peep the pics and videos, plus get the deets on Tyra Banks' new TV takeover inside...
After giving us an in-depth look at the crocked prison system in her 13th documentary, Ava DuVernay is currently working on a limited Netflix miniseries about the "Central Park Five" and we're all the way here for it. It's a story that needs to be told - the right way.
They've finished casting the young men at the center of the drama and they're now filming the series in NYC.
Based on a true story, the series will chronicle the notorious case of five black teenagers from Harlem - Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise - who were convicted of a rape they did NOT commit.
According to Deadline, the series will span from the spring of 1989, when each were first questioned about the incident, to 2014 when they were exonerated and a settlement was reached with the city of New York. At the time, Donald Trump was a major player in the media, claiming the teens were guilty and should be held to the highest punishment of the law. Hmph.
Below is a breakdown of the leading men who will bring the story to life (via Variety):
Chris Chalk will play the adult Salaam, while Freddy Miyares and Justin Cunningham will play the adult Santana and the adult Richardson, respectively. Together, they will star alongside previously announced Jharrel Jerome and Jovan Adepo. Adepo will play the adult McCray, while Jerome will portray both the adult and young Wise. Ethan Herisse (above)will play the young Salaam, Marquis Rodriguez will play the young Santana, Caleel Harris will play the young McCray, and Asante Blackk will play the young Richardson.
The newly announced cast will join previously announced cast members Michael K. Williams, Niecy Nash, Storm Reid, Aunjanue Ellis, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, Kylie Bunbury, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Jharrel Jerome and Jovan Adepo.
Ava will work her magic as the writer and director for the four-part series in addition to executive producing. Oprah Winfrey will serve as an executive producer via her Harpo Films, along with Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King via Participant Media, and Jane Rosenthal and Berry Welsh from Tribeca Productions.
Who's ready to have the REAL story told about what really happened to these five young men almost 30 years ago? We are. It will reportedly premiere in 2019.
In the meantime, check out some pictures and videos from the set below:
Ava DuVernay’s IG stories from sets are the most fascinating to watch! This is from #CentralParkFive . #WeCanNotWaitpic.twitter.com/vknxSl7Y1O
— AvaDuVernay Fans (@avaduvernayfans) August 13, 2018
#CentralParkFive#Day2 RepostBy @showboat92:
"Beautiful to shoot a great film Central Park 5. Energy on the set is great!" pic.twitter.com/CDVCkfycl7— AvaDuVernay Fans (@avaduvernayfans) August 7, 2018
Happy to announce new cast family for CENTRAL PARK FIVE. Welcome recent Carnegie Mellon grad #FreddyMiyares as Raymond Santana, recent Juilliard grad #JustinCunningham as Kevin Richardson and @Gotham’s Chris Chalk as Yusef Salaam, joining Jovan and Jerome as Antron and Korey. pic.twitter.com/yDusz35gTW
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 10, 2018
Warm welcome to Ethan Herisse, who will portray Young Yusef Salaam, seen here with his real-life counterpart. #CP5pic.twitter.com/zD3fjKiYje
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 10, 2018
RepostBy @ceciliachanu:
"Filming Central Park 5 #nyc#nycfilm#centralparkfive#centralpark" #CP5pic.twitter.com/J73jhP41Xo— AvaDuVernay Fans (@avaduvernayfans) August 11, 2018
Storm Reid on set! #CP5
RepostBy @santanaraymond:
"@dr.yusefsalaam and I with the lovely and talented @stormreid thank you for being a part of this project, you are greatly appreciated my sister..#TheCentralPark5#day2#inthebooks#stormreid#raymondsantana#yusefsalaam" pic.twitter.com/GUllVibCpM— AvaDuVernay Fans (@avaduvernayfans) August 7, 2018
This is going to be good. Anything Ava touches turns into gold and we're interested in learning how these young men soldiered through such a traumatic situation.
In other TV news...
Tyra Banks is BACK and ready for her TV takeover....AGAIN!
The Harvard Business School grad just inked a first-look deal with Universal Television and Universal Television Alternative Studio. The TV boss will be developing and producing scripted and unscripted programming via her Bankable Productions banner. And luckily, it does not interfere with her hosting NBC's "America's Got Talent."
“America’s Next Top Model has been on the air for 24 seasons, proving Tyra’s standing and commitment as one of television’s top producers,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Universal Television Alternative Studio. “We are thrilled to infuse her creative vision, expertise and dedication into our studio’s development.”
We all know the former model is no rookie to television. Outside of hosting her own daytime talk show - "The Tyra Banks Show" - and appearing in movies and TV shows, she has produced "America's Next Top Model," "The Tyra Banks Show" and the holiday movie sequel, Life Size 2."ANTM" just completed its 24th season this past spring. She created, produced and served as a judge on the show throughout the years.
Not to mention, she has won two Daytime EMMY Awards for "The Tyra Banks Show."
Who's ready for the Tyra Takeover?
EXTRAS:
1. Mayor de Blasio, Cynthia Nixon’s wife and several City Hall aides have been trying to keep Jennifer Hudson from performing at a Success Academy rally. STORY
Photos: Ava's IG/Tyra's IG
