From a book to an on-screen adaptation, the late award-winning writer Octavia E. Butler’s vision for ‘Kindred’ is officially active!
Hollywood Unlocked was invited to the Los Angeles premiere where we spoke with the Writer and showrunner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins who also executive produces the series and some of the cast.
Jenkins, a fan of the book, shared that when he closed the back cover, he knew it needed to be a series. Executive producer Courtney Lee-Mitchell shared the same sentiments, having read the book at age 12 and fast forward to the present day, working on a passion project.
Related: Jenna Ortega Plays Wednesday Addams In New Netflix Series
This series, a science fiction one, follows the life of Dana played by Mallori Johnson who leaves the life that she was familiar with to take on a whole new life in Los Angeles. Upon arriving she finds herself transporting back and forth from a nineteenth-century plantation. Its there where it’s revealed to her that her past is not what it seemed.
As for Johnson, who again is playing Dana, this is her first major role as she receltny graduated from The Juilliard School. When speaking with her, she shared that getting this role was a shift for her as this symbolized a coming of age story as she was stepping into the next fase of her life.
As for the pressure of portraying a character that so many who know octavias work know and love she said “I know that she has a cult following and shes so iconic and I didn’t want to do anything with the character that would disrupt that, I just wanted to imulate the character that she wanted brought to life.”
This series is set to hit Netflix on Dcemeber 13th. make sure you check it out and let us know what you think!