“Colin in Black & White,” Netflix’s upcoming series chronicling the coming-of-age story of football player and activist Colin Kaepernick, is set to premiere Oct. 29. The streamer also released several first-look images from the six-episode limited series co-created by Kaepernick and “13th” filmmaker Ava DuVernay,
Starring Jaden Michael as young Kaepernick, the show tells the story of the athlete’s formative years, focusing on how he navigated obstacles of race, culture and class as a Black child adopted into a white family. Nick Offerman and Mary-Louise Parker play Kaepernick’s adoptive parents, Rick and Teresa Kaepernick.
As one of the first look images shows, Kaepernick will also appear on-screen in the series, in addition to serving as the present-day narrator, guiding viewers through his childhood while providing historical and contemporary context.
“I’m excited to share this first peek into a project I co-created with the incomparable Ava DuVernay over the past couple of years,” Kaepernick said in a statement. “I look forward to the world meeting the incredible Jaden Michael, a young actor who plays me during my high school years, just a kid growing up in Turlock, California who wanted to play ball.”
Kaepernick rose to prominence in the football world as the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He played six seasons in the NFL, leading the team in championship games including Super Bowl XLVII. In 2016, Kaepernick began to kneel during the national anthem in order to protest police brutality and systemic racism in America. After that season ended, Kaepernick became a free agent and went unsigned by any other NFL team. In November 2017, the former player filed a grievance with the NFL, claiming that they were conspiring to keep him out of the league. In February 2019, he reached a settlement with the NFL, and remains a free agent.
“Colin in Black & White” is directed by DuVernay, Sheldon Candis, Robert Townsend, Angel Kristi Williams and Kenny Leon. DuVernay and Kaepernick serve as executive producers, along with Michael Starrbury.
View the first look images below.
