Ava DuVernay’s (Queen Sugar, A Wrinkle in Time) second comics TV adaptation has found its lead at The CW. Deadline reports Kaci Walfall (Army Wives, Power) has been cast in the titular role for Naomi, a new series based on the 2019 comic book written by Brian Michael Bendis (Seige, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Vol 1.) and David F. Walker (Cyborg, Shaft’s Revenge) with art from Jamal Campbell (Supergirl #19, Far Sector #2).
Naomi chronicles a new heroine’s origins as a young teen girl investigates how her past intersects with a mysterious supernatural event. Joining Walfall as series regulars are newcomer Camila Moreno (Three Sisters, King Lear), Cranston Johnson (Truth Be Told, Filthy Rich), and Alexander Wraith (Hawaii Five-O, Orange is the New Black).
According to Deadline, Walfall’s Naomi is a popular, book smart high schooler who wears her love for comic books on her sleeve. When her military town experiences an otherwordly phenomenon, the adopted teen develops superhuman abilities. Naomi begins to question her past and how she is connected to the world’s unparalleled future.
Moreno is set to play Lourdes, according to Deadline. A fellow nerd, she revels in sharing her comics obsession with Naomi. However, this common bond hides Lourdes’s deeper feelings for her best friend. Johnson will play Zumbado, a mysterious figure in Naomi’s orbit. The owner of a local car lot, he and Naomi’s rare interaction signals uncharted territory for our budding hero. Finally, Wraith is Dee, a tattoo artist who may know more about Naomi’s past than he is letting on.
According to Deadline, DuVernay and Jill Blakenship (Arrow, The Last Ship) will write and executive produce the series via DuVernay’s Array Filmworks. Additional executive producers include Sarah Bremner (Death Note, Bright) and Paul Garnes (Middle of Nowhere, Selma). The series is part of DuVernay’s TV deal with Warner Bros. Television. In addition to Naomi, DuVernay is adapting the graphic novel DMZ at HBO Max. On the film side, DuVernay is set to direct The New Gods for Warner Bros.