Colin Kaepernick partners with Ava DuVernay for upcoming Netflix drama series that charts his high school years and path to activism

  • Colin Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay partnered with Netflix to release a scripted drama about his early life
  • Colin in Black & White will be a six-part series and could begin filming later this year
  • 'We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years,' he said in a statement
  • The football star and advocate will narrate the series but an actor will be cast to play him on screen
  • The project will follow DuVernay's last critically acclaimed hit with Netflix, 2019's When They See Us
  •  'With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,' DuVernay said.
  •  In 2016 while playing for the 49ers, Kaepernick began kneeling on the sidelines during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice
  • He has not played since the end of the 2016 season and remains a free agent

Colin Kaepernick, 32, is teaming up with filmmaker Ava DuVernay, 47, on an upcoming limited series for Netflix about his early life.

The free agent quarterback will be the narrator and executive producer of a six-part Netflix drama series focusing on his high school years, the production company announced Monday.

Kaepernick is continuing to expand his reach beyond the field, this latest TV project follows his recent partnership with social journalism blog Medium as the company's first non-white board member. 

Turning his life into art: Colin Kaepernick, 32, is teaming up with filmmaker Ava DuVernay, 47, on an upcoming scripted drama series for Netflix about his early life titled Colin in Black & White, the streaming network announced on Monday

Turning his life into art: Colin Kaepernick, 32, is teaming up with filmmaker Ava DuVernay, 47, on an upcoming scripted drama series for Netflix about his early life titled Colin in Black & White, the streaming network announced on Monday

The scripted series, Colin in Black & White, completed writing in May and could begin filming later this year. 

'He would grow up to play in the Super Bowl and realize you never stop fighting for your dreams. She would grow up to tell stories that matter to millions,' Netflix tweeted Monday. 

Along with the tweet they shared Kaepernick's high school year book photo and a snap of DuVernay as a young girl. 

While Kaepernick himself will serve narrator, an actor will be cast to play the young football star turned social and racial justice activist.  

Amazing: Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay is collaborating with the free agent quarterback who serves as the narrator and executive producer of the six-part Netflix drama series focusing on his high school years

Amazing: Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay is collaborating with the free agent quarterback who serves as the narrator and executive producer of the six-part Netflix drama series focusing on his high school years

'Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens,' Kaepernick said in a statement. 'We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face.'

'Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens,' Kaepernick said in a statement. 'We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face.'

In a press release, Netflix said the show will 'focus on Kaepernick's formative high school years, lending meaningful insight into the acts and experiences that led him to become the activist he is today.'

'Too often we see race and Black stories portrayed through a white lens,' Kaepernick said in a statement. 'We seek to give new perspective to the differing realities that Black people face.' 

'We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years,' he continued. 'It's an honor to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.'

Kaepernick attended high school in Turlock, California and went on to play in college at Nevada.

'We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years,' he continued. 'It's an honor to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.'  (Kaepernick pictured in college in 2009)

'We explore the racial conflicts I faced as an adopted Black man in a white community, during my high school years,' he continued. 'It's an honor to bring these stories to life in collaboration with Ava for the world to see.'  (Kaepernick pictured in college in 2009)

Athlete turned activist: In 2016 while playing for the 49ers, Kaepernick began kneeling on the sidelines during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice (Pictured in 2016)

Athlete turned activist: In 2016 while playing for the 49ers, Kaepernick began kneeling on the sidelines during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice (Pictured in 2016)

In 2011 he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011 and helped them reach the Super Bowl after the 2012 season.

He is, perhaps, best known, however, for his peaceful and powerful actions on the sidelines after he began kneeling during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice in August 2016. 

He has not played since the end of the 2016 season and remains a free agent.

'With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,' DuVernay said in a statement. 

Using her voice: DuVernay previously worked with the streaming giant on her critically acclaimed 2019 mini-series When They See Us

Using her voice: DuVernay previously worked with the streaming giant on her critically acclaimed 2019 mini-series When They See Us

'With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,' DuVernay said in a statement

'With his act of protest, Colin Kaepernick ignited a national conversation about race and justice with far-reaching consequences for football, culture and for him, personally,' DuVernay said in a statement

'Colin's story has much to say about identity, sports and the enduring spirit of protest and resilience. I couldn't be happier than to tell this story with the team at Netflix,' she added.  

Colin in Black and White has been in the works since 2019 and will chronicle his early life being raised as a black child in his adoptive white family. 

'We're proud to bring Colin's experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world,' said Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Content for Netflix. 

DuVernay previously worked with the streaming giant on her critically acclaimed 2019 mini-series When They See Us.  

'We're proud to bring Colin's experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world,' said Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Content for Netflix (DuVernay pictured in 2018)

'We're proud to bring Colin's experience and his creative vision to life as he joins Ava to share his powerful story and message with all our members around the world,' said Cindy Holland, Vice President, Original Content for Netflix (DuVernay pictured in 2018)

On Twitter, the Selma producer called her upcoming project 'a joy to work on for the last year.' 

'I’ve long been fascinated by how folks become who they are. The steps we all take to get to ourselves,' she wrote. 'When it comes to @Kaepernick7, that story tracks the making of a singular American icon. #imwithkap'

Colin is also is working on a memoir, set to be released through his own publishing company. And, earlier in June he joined Medium as their first non-white board member.

His football career could also be getting back on track as the Los Angeles Chargers coach recently confirmed that the quarterback was on the potential workout list and ecalled him a good 'fit' for the team. 

Expanding his influence: Colin is also is working on a memoir, set to be released through his own publishing company and, earlier in June, he joined Medium as their first non-white board member

Expanding his influence: Colin is also is working on a memoir, set to be released through his own publishing company and, earlier in June, he joined Medium as their first non-white board member