Fresh off the limited US release of his critically acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave comes news that director Steve McQueen is looking to enter the TV arena.
The British filmmaker, whose credits also include Shame and Hunger, is developing an untitled drama for HBO that centres on the experience of a young African-American man, whose past may not be what it seems, and his initiation into New York high society, the network confirmed to the Los Angeles Times. Deadline was first to report the news of the project, which HBO is dubbing a “provocative exploration.”
It all comes as McQueen’s current film, which depicts the evils of slavery, is drumming up Oscar buzz and a solid box-office performance. The HBO drama would be his first TV project.
McQueen is taking a hands-on approach to the venture. In addition to serving as director, he will co-write the project with Matthe Michael Carnahan (World War Z).
Joining McQueen and Carnahan as executive producers are Rusell Simmons, Iain Canning and Emile Sherman. Canning and Sherman both served as producers on The King’s Speech and Shame.
