NBC Announces Cast For Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Young Rock’ Series
NBC has announced the cast for ‘Young Rock‘, a new comedy which focuses on different chapters of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s life.
From growing up in a strong and resilient family, to being surrounded by the wild characters of his professional wrestling family, to playing football at the University of Miami, ‘Young Rock’ will explore the crazy rollercoaster that has shaped Dwayne into the man he is today and the larger-than-life characters he’s met along the way.
As the show runs through different points in Johnson’s life, you need more than one person to fill those huge shoes! The three people taking on the task will be:
Adrian Groulx (‘The Adventures of Napkin Man!’), who’ll play Dwayne Johnson (AKA Dewey), Age 10. He’s honest, headstrong, impressionable and bold.
Posting on Instagram, The real Dwayne Johnson commented “He’s got the hardest job of ‘em of all playing ‘little Dewey’ – yes, unfortunately that was the nickname my Godparents gave me after the weather – as in dewdrops… Jesus” He continues “At 10yrs old, I was rambunctious as all hell, was already girl crazy and loved pro wrestling — especially the part when wrestlers would bleed! This kid, Adrian is my hero because I look back at this time in my life so fondly and how I viewed the world thru my 10yr old eyes. I was all these things but at the core I was a sweet little boy and a complicated little cub who just needed guidance.”
Bradley Constant (‘Following Phil’) as Dwayne Johnson, Age 15. He’s doing his best to fit in as a normal teenager… but puberty has other ideas. His size and full moustache have his classmates convinced he’s an undercover cop!
Uli Latukefu (‘Harrow’, ‘Marco Polo’) plays Dwayne Johnson, Age 18-20. Has just been recruited to play football on a full scholarship at the powerhouse University of Miami. Though a superstar talent, a devastating injury his freshman year puts his life at a crossroads.
“Playing at THE U – these years were some of my most defining,” comments (the real) Johnson. “The highs are incredible, but the lows were critical. 275lbs of upper body violence, attitude and clearly eating too much pizza.”
In addition to the various… ahem… “Rocks Of Ages” (sorry…) they have also cast Stacey Leilua as Ata Johnson, Dwayne’s mother who grew up in a first-generation pro wrestling family. She’s a strong woman, both by nature and necessity, she’s a hopeful positive force in young Dwayne’s life; And Joseph Lee Anderson (‘Harriet’, ‘S.W.A.T.’) as Rocky Johnson, Dwayne’s father, a charismatic and charming, the pro wrestling champion juggles the ups and downs of his career with being a well-intentioned, but unorthodox, husband and father.
“As you guys know, my dad passed away earlier this year so this role is a special one and our first episode is dedicated to him,” commented Johnson on Instagram. “My dad was a true trailblazer and broke colour barriers all across our country in the ’60s, ’70s & ’80s. One-half of the first black tag team champions (with Tony Atlas) my pops was a bad dude in the tame. I miss him. This one’s for you Rock.”
On his mother, he adds, “Many of you know my moms story – cancer survivor, gone thru hell and back, incredible life and still the sweetest human being on the planet… And still goes to smack me when I cuss!”
The last bit of casting is Ana Tuisila as Lia Maivia, Ata’s mother and Dwayne’s grandmother. The first female pro-wrestling promoter in the country. A sweet loving grandmother and when need be, a cutthroat, ruthless businesswoman.
“Cool backstory: My grandmother, Lia Maivia was pro wrestling’s first women’s promoter. She HAD TO BE tough as nails in a male-dominated, shark-infested world of wrestling,” adds Johnson. “She set the bar for tough business practices and also set the bar for how loving a sweet grandma could be to her only grandson – me. She was also charged by the feds for extortion, eventually deported, became homeless and lost everything in the early 90’s. Crazy life. I was blessed enough to help change that hard time scenario around and get her back on her feet. Her journey was unreal and can’t wait for you guys to watch!”
The pilot was co-written by Nahnatchka Khan and Jeff Chiang (‘Fresh Off the Boat’, ‘American Dad!’), who exec produce with Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Brian Gewirtz and Jennifer Carreras. Jeffrey Walker serves as producer-director/co-EP. Universal Television, Seven Bucks Productions and Fierce Baby Productions will produce. Whilst not taking on an acting role, Johnson will appear in each episode as the focus and inspiration of the series about his formative years.
‘Young Rock‘ Season 1 will premiere in 2021 on NBC in the USA. No news on a UK broadcaster yet, but we’ll let you know when we hear something!
