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Oprah Winfrey teams up with 'Selma' director for new drama

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Press Trust of India Los Angeles
'Selma' actor and co-producer Oprah Winfrey has joined hands with the film's director Ava DuVernay to create a new original drama, adapted from the novel 'Queen Sugar' by Natalie Baszile.

Winfrey, 61, will also star on the TV series, which will air on her channel, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.

DuVernay is set to write, direct and executive produce the project in her TV series debut, reported Deadline.

Winfrey will executive produce. This is the first time that Winfrey would be acting in a series for her network. Filming is scheduled to begin later this year.

The contemporary series will chronicle a spirited woman, who leaves her upscale Los Angeles lifestyle behind to claim an inheritance from her recently departed father- an 800-acre sugar cane farm in the heart of Louisiana.
 

"I loved this book and immediately saw it as a series for OWN. The story's themes of reinventing your life, parenting alone, family connections and conflicts, and building new relationships are what I believe will connect our viewers to this show," said Winfrey.

"From the moment I was introduced to the book, I was captivated by the idea of a modern woman wrestling with identity, family, culture and the echoes of history. To bring this kind of storytelling to life alongside Oprah for her network is wildly wonderful," DuVernay said.

The duo's 'Selma' has been nominated at the upcoming Academy Awards in the category of best picture.

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First Published: Feb 03 2015 | 2:45 PM IST

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