‘DMZ’ – HBO Max Orders Limited Series Adaptation Based On Comic Book
HBO Max has ordered a limited series based on DC/Vertigo comic book ‘DMZ’ it has been announced.
The series is set in a near-future, where America is in the midst of a new civil war. The action takes place in New York City, more specifically, the island of Manhattan, which has been turned into a demilitarized zone, aka the DMZ. As war rages between the remains of the federal government and the secessionist Free State armies, Alma Ortega, a female medic on the island is trying day-in and day-out to help keep residents alive while trying to also find her lost son. In the process, she tries to prove a source of hope in an America that has lost all sense of the idea, as she faces gangs, militias and warlords that control the lawless no man’s land. Throwing gasoline on the flames of that conflict is Parco Delgado, the popular, and deadly, leader of one of the most powerful gangs in the DMZ. He wants to rule this new world and will stop at nothing to secure that outcome.
The drama will examine the stark political and cultural divide in American society, where Alma must contend with the gangs, militias, demagogues and warlords that control this lawless no man’s land. In doing so, Ortega becomes the unlikely source of what everyone there has lost… hope.
Rosario Dawson (‘Briarpatch’, Marvel/Netflix ‘Defenders’ franchise) is set to take the lead as Alma Ortega, alongside Benjamin Bratt (‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Law & Order’, ’24: Live Another Day’) who portrays Parco Delgado. Hoon Lee (‘Warrior’, ‘Bosch’), Freddy Miyares (‘When They See Us’, ‘The L Word: Generation Q’) and Jordan Preston Carter (‘The Haves and the Have Nots’) also star.
The story has been adapted by Roberto Patino (‘Sons of Anarchy’, ‘Westworld’) from the original comic book by Brian Wood. Patino also serves as showrunner and exec produce. Acclaimed director Ava DuVernay (‘When They See Us’, ‘Selma’) directed the pilot episode. The series is produced by DuVernay’s Array Filmworks, in association with Warner Bros Television.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this epic to the screen with my boundary-pushing partners at WBTV and HBO Max, a sublime cast led by Rosario and Benjamin, and my partner and friend, the inimitable and ever-inspiring Ava DuVernay,” commented Patino. “DMZ offers up an explosive playground which, more than anything else, exalts the resilience of community and the human spirit. I can’t wait to welcome the die-hard fans of the comic books and new viewers alike to this intoxicating, haunting and inspiring world.”
‘DMZ’ is a four-episode limited series, and is set to begin production in 2021 for HBO Max in the USA. Not news yet on a UK broadcaster, but we’ll let you know when we hear more.
