The Netflix docuseries that will highlight the life of Colin Kaepernick has found its ‘young Kap.’ Actor Jaden Michael will play the NFL quarterback in the limited series from Kaepernick and Academy Award® Nominee and Emmy Award® Winner Ava DuVernay. Jaden Michael, 17, is best known for his role in Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix series “The Get Down.”
Announced in June, Colin in Black & White, will focus on Kaepernick’s formative high school years, lending meaningful insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today. Furthermore, the six-episode series provides an introspective look at Kaepernick’s early life as a Black child growing up with a white adopted family and his journey to become a great quarterback while defining his identity.
“With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,” said DuVernay. “Colin’s story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn’t be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix.”
“Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens,” said Kaepernick. “We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face. We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years. It’s an honor to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.”
Kaepernick who played for the San Francisco 49ers for six season, was the recipient of widespread criticism when he kneeled during the National Anthem to peacefully protest police brutality against the black community and systemic racism in 2016.
He became a free agent without a team from 2017 and still doesn’t have a job despite a successful independent workout he held in 2019 for NFL scouts. Even though he hasn’t taken in NFL snap in four years, he continues to make a difference off the field.
“We’re proud to bring Colin’s experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Content for Netflix. “It is an unparalleled union of two strong and defining voices coming together to tell the story about what it’s like to be Black in America.”
This is sure to be a powerful series with DuVernay at the helm supporting Kaepernick in telling his story.