The critically acclaimed Oscar-winning short film Hair Love has inspired a new animated series coming to HBO Max. Young Love, based on writer/director Matthew A. Cherry and Sony Pictures Animation’s Hair Love, has been greenlit for a 12 episode season.
Cherry created the series and will serve as showrunner on the first season along with Carl Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite).
“I am beyond excited to continue telling the story of Stephen, Angela and Zuri and further explore the family dynamics of a young Black millennial family we established in our short film Hair Love as an animated series,” said Cherry. “Couldn’t ask for better partners in Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max in helping us get Young Love out to the world.”
“It’s a privilege to continue our partnership with Matthew Cherry, who has a gift for tapping into meaningful stories that touch our hearts. I personally can’t wait to collectively laugh and cry with the Young family,” stated Karen Rupert Toliver, executive vice president of creative for Sony Pictures Animation and Hair Love producer.
Blue Key Entertainment’s Monica A. Young (producer of Hair Love) and Lion Forge Animation’s David Steward II and Carl Reed will executive produce.
“Hair Love struck a chord that is still resonating deeply with audiences of all ages,” said Billy Wee, SVP, Original Animation, HBO Max. “Matthew and Sony Animation’s creative voices are a welcomed addition to the HBO Max family and we can’t wait to bring this joyous story to the world.”
The Young Love Plot, Courtesy of HBO Max:
“Hair Love centers around the relationship between an African-American father, his daughter Zuri, and the most daunting task a father could ever come across – doing his daughter’s hair for the first time. The short resonated with people everywhere, especially fathers who found themselves in similar situations.
The all-new animated series Young Love expands on the family introduced in Hair Love. Filled with comedy and heart, Young Love is an honest look into the world of the Young family – including millennial parents Stephen and Angela, their daughter Zuri and her pet cat Rocky – as they juggle their careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics all while striving to make a better life for themselves.”
