Since sealing an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television, film director Ava DuVernay (Queen Sugar, 13th) has been busy working on two anticipated series. At this past Saturday’s DC FanDome, the world received first looks at both projects that will live on The CW and HBO Max, respectively.
First, is the new TV series, Naomi, slated for The CW. Based on the comic written by Brian Michael Bendis (Scarlet, A.K.A. Goldfish) and David F. Walker (Young Justice, Cyborg) with art from Jamal Campbell (Nightwing, The Untouchable), the new show centers on teenage Naomi, a military brat who discovers innate powers after a mysterious event strikes close to home. A child of adoption, Naomi always wondered about her true family and identity. Now as the world races against a new threat, she will realize how her past is inevitably linked to the fate of the future.
An exclusive clip was released during the event and featured Naomi herself, played by newcomer Kaci Walfall. Check the clip out below. Naomi is set for a 2022 premiere only on The CW.
Second, DC FanDome revealed the first look of DuVernay’s HBO Max limited series, DMZ. The four-part series examines dystopia United States ravaged by a second civil war. As the government battles with a group of secessionists known as the “Free States,” Manhattan has been divided up as a designated militarized zone. It is here we meet the series’ protagonist, Alma Ortega, played by Rosario Dawson (The Mandalorian, Marvel’s Daredevil). A traveling medic, Alma enters Manhattan in a desperate search for her son. She will encounter a city and people fractured by a power struggle that ebbs and flows daily.
DuVernay appeared with the series’ writer and showrunner, Roberto Patino (Prime Suspect, Sons of Anarchy), to discuss the themes of the series and what fans can expect. Watch the full clip below.
Based on the graphic novel by Brian Wood (The New York Four, Ultimate Comics X-Men), DuVernay describes DMZ as “What would we be if we let the worst of our divisions get to us.” The series, which also stars Benjamin Bratt (Dr. Strange, Miss Congeniality) and Hoon Lee (Banshee, Warrior), is set for a 2022 release.