Nate Parker hopes his new show will get picked up to series. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Auditions for Nate Parker’s new short form digital series have begun, making it his first new project since resurfaced rape allegations sabotaged his directorial debut film.
The actor is writing and directing “Baselines,” which follows a Los Angeles family that “[protects] its aspiring pro basketball player from the dangers of inner-city Los Angeles,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. A description notes the show is in the style of Ava DuVernay’s hit, “Queen Sugar” and the film “American Honey,” to name a few inspirations.
The series, which is seeking “Black/African American…Raw, gritty, not-insecure” actors who appear green, is set to begin filming Friday, Feb. 16 for one week. The goal is to get the 10, six-to-eight-minute long episodes to get picked up by a network.
Parker, who is prominently listed in the casting breakdown, had his chances at an Oscar and box office gold smashed in 2016 when college rape allegations against “The Birth of a Nation” director reemerged. The film, once celebrated at Sundance Film Festival, opened at no. 6 at the box office with $7 million. After attempting to confront the scrutiny head-on, Parker eventually stopped answering questions about the scandal and backed away from the spotlight.
