Netflix debuted the first full trailer for its upcoming scripted series based on the life of former NFL quarterback-turned social activist Colin Kaepernick on Tuesday.
You can watch it in the video above.
Co-created by Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay, “Colin in Black & White” is described as “a bold new limited series that chronicles Kaepernick’s coming of age story, tackling the obstacles of race, class and culture as the Black adopted child of a white family.”
“Colin in Black & White” stars Jaden Michael as Young Colin “before reaching the highest levels of American football as an NFL quarterback and becoming a cultural icon and activist,” as well as Nick Offerman and Mary-Louise Parker, who play his “well-meaning” parents Rick and Teresa. Per Netflix: “You don’t know Kaepernick until you know Colin.”
The six-episode, half-hour series, which premieres Oct. 29 on Netflix, also features the real Colin Kaepernick, who played for the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons (even leading them to Super Bowl XLVII), himself as narrator.
Kaepernick became known beyond NFL fans when, in 2016, he began kneeling during the pregame national anthem in protest of the police mistreatment of Black people in America.
Episodes of “Colin in Black & White” will be directed by DuVernay, Sheldon Candis, Robert Townsend, Angel Kristi Williams and Kenny Leon. In addition to DuVernay and Kaepernick, Michael Starrbury also executive produces.
“This was an opportunity to open a window into experiences inspired by my high school years. I want Black and Brown kids and their communities to find guidance in how we can combat racism and oppressive systems,” Kaepernick said in a blog post that accompanied the trailer. “I hope someone can see that they too can come out on the other side and be able to say, ‘I faced those struggles. I’ve worked through them, and I was able to be successful and come out the other end, keeping my dignity and my identity intact.’”