Freeform is in development on a dramedy inspired by the life of Ericka Suzanne, the daughter of Elaine Brown, who was the first female leader of the Black Panther Party.
Written and executive produced by “Insecure” EP Dayna Lynne North, “Party Girls,” a single-camera half-hour, has a script-to-series commitment from the network. Laurence Fishburne will also serve as executive producer on the project via his Cinema Gypsy Productions banner.
Set in Oakland, California in the 1970s, “Party Girls” follows Ericka’s attempt to survive her adolescence as her mother rises in the Black Panther Party.
The potential series is said to explore an unconventional mother-daughter relationship, balancing the stakes of the movement with the humor inherent in coming-of-age, and asking the question how do you rebel when your mom is leading a rebellion.
The project is produced by Platform One Media. Elisa Ellis of the studio will also serve as executive producer alongside Helen Sugland of Cinema Gypsy and Lance Krall and Peter Siaggas of Picture It Productions.