Ava DuVernay and former “Queen Sugar” showrunner Kat Candler are teaming up again for a new project that fights the power: the duo have a one-hour, modern-day “Norma Rae-esque” drama series in the works at TNT.
Here’s the logline for the currently untitled project: In the aftermath of a deadly oil refinery explosion that takes the life of an old friend, a struggling young wife and mother will go on to lead one of the biggest labor union strikes in Texas history.
Candler will write the script for the potential series, executive producing alongside DuVernay, who produces under her ARRAY Filmworks banner.
The drama hails from Warner Horizon Scripted Television, a division of the Warner Bros. Television Group, where DuVernay has an exclusive overall deal.
Candler was showrunner on Season 3 of DuVernay’s OWN drama series “Queen Sugar,” also from Warner Horizon Scripted Television, and has directed seven episodes of the series. Her other TV credits include “Dirty John,” “Sorry for Your Loss” and “13 Reasons Why.” On the film side, Candler wrote and directed the award-winning feature film “Hellion,” starring Aaron Paul and Juliette Lewis, which debuted at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in competition.
DuVernay’s ARRAY Filmworks currently has a pilot order set at HBO Max for the adaptation of DC’s “DMZ” with “Westworld’s” Roberto Patino through Warner Bros. Television, and is currently in production on the new OWN series “Cherish the Day,” created by DuVernay, from Warner Horizon Scripted Television.