Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk) has signed on to play neo-expressionist and revolutionary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in a new limited series he’s developing alongside Shamier Anderson, who he acted alongside in 2016 Jesse Owens biopic, Race.
Basquiat was one of the youngest artists ever to exhibit at the Whitney Biennial in New York. He was known to use the canvas to express his experience growing up as a Black man and question power structures, classicism, class struggles, and racism. Basquiat died at 27 from an overdose, and his paintings have since become incredibly valuable.
His most famous work is an untitled painting that depicts a giant skull-like form against a blue blackdrop. It sold for $110.5 million in 2017, and not only became the most expensive Basquiat work ever, but also one of the ten most expensive works of art of all time.
James talked about Basquiat’s influence on his career when discussing the project: “Jean-Michel is an artist I have long revered, and someone who has greatly influenced my work over the years. To embody such a revolutionary, whose influence in the modern era of pop culture is simply immeasurable, will simply be one of the greatest honors of my career.”
Steve Lescroart, president of Boat Rocker Studio, who are co-producing the limited series, added: “We’re grateful to be working with Shamier, Stephan, and the entire Bay Mills Studios team to tell the story of a visionary artist whose profound cultural influence only continues to grow with time. We know that audiences around the world will be captivated.”
The series is still untitled at this point, and there’s no word on what network or streaming platform it will premiere on.
James most recently starred in sports drama National Champions and short-lived Quibi series #FreeRayshawn.
He recently wrapped filming on drama Delia’s Gone, and will also play one of the main roles in Surface, the new Apple TV+ psychological thriller series from Veronica West (Ugly Betty, High Fidelity).
#Peace.Love.JeanMichelBasquiat
