Weeks after casting its titular leading actress, Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay took to Twitter to share the first set photo of her upcoming series adaptation of DC Comics’ Naomi, confirming that production has officially begun on the The CW pilot. Should the pilot indeed secure a series order, this marks DuVernay’s second DC series with Warner Bros. Television, after HBO Max greenlit the Rosario Dawson-led DMZ miniseries last year. Featuring a glimpse of Kaci Walfall in her first major TV role as Naomi McDuffle, you can check out full photo below!
Day One.
NAOMI starring @KaciWalfall. @ARRAYNow @DCComics @WarnerBrosTV @TheCW pic.twitter.com/doq8VZuV78— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 7, 2021
This comes after it was recently announced that DuVernay’s other long-in development DC project New Gods has been cancelled by Warner Bros. along with James Wan’s Aquaman spinoff The Trench.
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Based on Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker’s DC comic series, the Naomi pilot centers on the titular character in her teenage years as she journeys from her small northwestern town to the heights of the multiverse, but when a supernatural event rattles her hometown, she must set out to uncover its origins, discovering something that will challenge everything people believe about superheroes.
Click here to purchase the complete collection of all six issues of Naomi!
The pilot will be led by Kaci Walfall (Army Wives, Power), who has been tapped to portray the superhero role of Naomi. Joining her are Alexander Wraith (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Cranston Johnson (Filthy Rich, P-Valley), and newcomer Camila Moreno have also been cast as series regulars.
Their official character descriptions are listed below:
Walfall’s Naomi – “An effortlessly cool and confident high school student who is the adopted daughter of doting parents. Popular with all the kids in her military town, Naomi is unafraid to embrace her AP-student, comic book–loving nerdiness. After a supernatural event leads to the discovery of her powers within, Naomi pursues her hidden destiny.”
Wraith will play Dee – “The owner of a local tattoo parlor. When a strange event leaves the town in chaos, Dee hints that he knows more than he is willing to tell.”
Johnson portrays Zumbado –“The mysterious owner of a local used car lot. Having heard troubling rumors about his past, Naomi actively tries to avoid him, but a tense encounter leaves her both shaken and curious.”
Moreno is Lourdes –“A young woman with a sarcastic sense of humor who works in a vintage collectibles shop. She has an unrequited crush on Naomi, and she shares her obsession with classic comics. She is also happy to join in on Naomi’s schemes.”
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The potential series is written and executive produced by the Selma director Ava DuVernay and Arrow alum Jill Blankenship. It will be co-produced by Warner Bros. Television and DuVernay’s Array Filmworks, which currently has a rich overall deal.
