Justin Simien’s Dear White People was one of the best films of 2014, filled with more style and wit than most veteran directors can muster — and it was Simien’s first feature film. Its fictional setting, Winchester University, was a living, breathing thing, and it was obvious that the world beyond the film’s four central characters was ripe for storytelling. Luckily, those stories will be told, as it’s just been announced that Netflix has picked up a 10-episode series.
Variety reports that all 10 of the 30-minute episodes will be written by Simien, who will also direct the pilot. “During the film’s release, I had the pleasure to speak with hundreds of students and faculty across a variety of college campuses dealing with these very issues in real time,” Simien said. “I’m so grateful to have this platform — not only to give a voice to those too often unheard in our culture, but to also tell great stories from new points of views.”
The film focused mostly on four students of color at the previously mentioned university, and chronicled their experiences in Greek life and while working for a student publication. The strength of the material really benefited from the leads, actors Tyler James Williams and Tessa Thompson, but they probably won’t return for the series — at least, they haven’t been confirmed. Lionsgate, which also produces Orange is the New Black, will be producing.