Starz, 50 Cent prep Cyntoia Brown drama

Lionsgate-owned US cablenet Starz is developing a limited drama series executive produced by Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson that was inspired by the true story of a teenage girl given a life sentence for killing a man.

Christina Davis

The Case of Cyntoia Brown focuses on Cyntoia Long-Brown, who was sex-trafficked by a boyfriend, tried as an adult at 16 years old and sentenced to life in prison for aggravated robbery and first-degree murder before serving 15 years.

It is based on Brown-Long’s book Free Cyntoia: My Search for Redemption in the American Prison System. Brown-Long and her husband Jamie Long will also consult on the project.

The Case of Cyntoia Brown is developed through Jackson’s overall deal through his G-Unit Film & Television banner with Starz. Along with Jackson, La La Anthony (Power, The Chi) will exec produce with co-exec producer Santa Sierra (Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Vida, Narcos) writing the limited series.

Christina Davis, president of original programming for Starz, said: “We’re honoured to be entrusted with Cyntoia’s story, which shines a light on the injustice of a system that tried and sentenced an at-risk minor as an adult when she was a victim herself of sex trafficking.

“This limited series from Curtis, La La and Santa chronicles Cyntoia’s long journey to freedom and furthers our #TakeTheLead programming mandate centred on narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.”