Corey Hawkins Joins Cast of HBO Max's 'Americanah' Limited Series

HBO Max has cast Corey Hawkins in a leading role alongside Lupita Nyong’o, Zackary Momoh and Uzo Aduba in its upcoming “Americanah” limited series.

The 10 episode series is based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel of the same name.

Here’s HBO Max’s official description:

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“‘Americanah’ tells the story of Ifemelu (Nyong’o), a young, beautiful, self-assured woman raised in Nigeria, who as a teenager falls in love with her classmate Obinze (Momoh). Living in a military-ruled country, they each depart for the west. Ifemelu heads for America, where she finds academic success, but is forced to grapple for the first time with what it means to be black. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous undocumented life in London. A highly lauded tale that has become a leader in the cultural conversation, Americanah is an incredible exploration of the human experience that crosses three continents to give an empathetic, compelling view of the complex realities of race, politics, immigration and identity.”

Hawkins is set to play Blaine, Ifemelu’s (Nyong’o) “present-day boyfriend and Yale Professor, who is madly in love with her. Deeply passionate about social injustices, he tutors at risk youth and organizes protests for a wrongly accused black Yale security guard.”

The actor just warpped production on the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “In the Heights,” which is set for release later this year. He has also recently appeared in Michael Bay feature “6 Underground,” as well as “Georgetown.” He has previously been seen in “BlacKkKlansman,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Kong: Skull Island,” the “24” reboot “24: Legacy,” and “The Walking Dead.”

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“Americanah” will be executive produced by showrunner and writer Danai Gurira, as well as Nyong’o for Eba Productions, Plan B Entertainment, Andrea Calderwood for Potboiler Television, Didi Rea and Danielle Del for D2 Productions, Nancy Won and Erika L. Johnson.

12 Stars Who Snagged 2 Oscar Acting Nominations in the Same Year (Photos)

1939: Fay Bainter

In 1938, Fay Bainter became the first performer to earn Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress nominations in the same year for "White Banners" and "Jezebel." She won for the latter, and was beaten in the lead category by her "Jezebel" co-star Bette Davis.
1942: Teresa Wright

History repeats itself: Wright wins in the supporting category for "Mrs. Miniver." But while her work as Mrs. Lou Gehrig in "Pride of the Yankees" was recognized, she lost to her "Mrs. Miniver" co-star Greer Garson for Best Actress.
1945: Barry Fitzgerald

Bizarrely, Fitzgerald was nominated for both Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for "Going My Way." He won in the latter category, while co-star Bing Crosby took home the top prize.
1983: Jessica Lange

Once again, Jessica Lange won in the supporting category, for "Tootsie," but lost her Best Actress bid for "Frances" to Meryl Streep for "Sophie's Choice."
1989: Sigourney Weaver

For the first time, douple-dipping came up blank. Sigourney Weaver landed a Best Actress nomination playing Dian Fossey in "Gorillas in the Mist" (but lost to Jodie Foster in "The Accused") and a Supporting Actress nod for the boss in "Working Girl" (but lost to Geena Davis in "The Accidental Tourist").
1993: Al Pacino

Pacino won his first Oscar for his lead role in "Scent of a Woman," but he also snagged a supporting nomination for "Glengarry Glen Ross" (where he lost to Gene Hackman for "Unforgiven").
1994: Holly Hunter

Holly Hunter was one of two actresses to double up in 1994, winning Best Actress for "The Piano" -- while her supporting nomination for "The Firm" was overshadowed by her "Piano" co-star Anna Paquin.
1994: Emma Thompson

The British actress was recognized for both "The Remains of the Day" and "In the Name of the Father" -- but lost to the duo from "The Piano."
2003: Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore managed a two-fer for Todd Haynes' period drama "Far From Heaven" (losing to Nicole Kidman for "The Hours") and for her supporting turn in "The Hours" (losing to Catherine Zeta-Jones in "Chicago").
2004: Jamie Foxx

The comedic actor won Best Actor for the Ray Charles biopic "Ray," and also managed a supporting nomination for "Collateral" -- though Morgan Freeman took home the trophy for "Million Dollar Baby."
2008: Cate Blanchett

The Australian actress went home empty-handed despite a Best Actress nomination for "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" (Marion Cotillard won for "La Vie en Rose") and a Supporting Actress nod for her version of Bob Dylan in "I'm Not There" (Tilda Swinton won for "Michael Clayton").
2020: Scarlett Johansson

The actress went 0 for 2 despite being recognized for her lead role in Noah Baumbach's "Marriage Story" (where she lost to Renée Zellweger for "Judy") as well as her supporting turn as a WWII-era German mother in "Jojo Rabbit" (where she lost to "Marriage Story" co-star Laura Dern).