Starz preps Ava DuVernay romantic drama starring Joshua Jackson, Lauren Ridloff

Lionsgate-owned US cablenet Starz is developing an as-yet-untitled romantic drama series from Ava DuVernay and actors Joshua Jackson and Lauren Ridloff.

Ava DuVernay

Jackson and Ridloff will also star in the project, which has a script-to-series commitment for three seasons and 18 episodes. Kat Candler (Queen Sugar, 13 Reasons Why) will write the first episode and serve as executive producer and showrunner and Paul Garnes (Queen Sugar, Colin in Black & White) will also executive produce.

Produced by DuVernay’s Array Filmworks and Warner Bros Television, the drama follows two people with polar-opposite personalities who become intertwined in a love affair that turns their worlds – and those of everyone around them – upside down.

Kathryn Busby, president of original programming at Starz, said: “There is nothing like this series on TV and we are thrilled to be in development with Ava, a trailblazer and unparalleled champion of diversity. Lauren is a true inspiration and together with Joshua, a brilliant veteran actor, they will bring their incredible talents to this project – both in front of and behind the camera.”

In related news, Starz is also in development on Lovesong, a drama created, written and exec produced by playwright and television writer Tanya Saracho, who previously created Starz drama Vida, which aired for three seasons.

Lovesong will be a half-hour drama that follows two Mexican-American childhood friends living in London as they both become entangled in a love triangle with the same captivating singer-songwriter.

Saracho has an overall deal with UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and will exec produce the project along with co-exec producer Christine Dávila, under her production banner Ojalá Productions.

Musician and actor Johnny Flynn will also co-exec produce and serve as composer. UCP and Lionsgate Television are the production companies.