COLIN KAEPERNICK’S life will be the subject of a new Netflix drama series, the streaming service has announced.

The adolescent life of all-star athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick will come to television screens around the world in Colin in Black & White, a new scripted limited series from Kaepernick and Oscar nominated and Emmy award-winning director Ava DuVernay.

The show will focus on Kaepernick’s formative high school years, giving viewers an insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today.

The six-episode series, which was conceived in 2019 and recently completed writing in May, 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.

“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 honour to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.”

Kaepernick, who will narrate the series, also serves as an executive producer, alongside DuVernay and Michael Starrbury. Starrbury has also written the series.

The limited series sees Starrbury and DuVernay reunite. The pair last worked together on Netflix’s acclaimed When They See Us, which received 16 Emmy award nominations, including a nomination for outstanding writing for the duo. The show, based on the true story of five black and Latino teenagers who were falsely accused of a rape in Central Park, was recently honoured with a Peabody Award. 

“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.” 

Cindy Holland, vice president, original content for Netflix, said: “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.

“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.”