A new, four-part TV series based on the DC comic book DMZ will make its debut on HBO Max. The show stars Rosario Dawson (Zombieland: Double Tap) and Benjamin Bratt (Doctor Strange).
Executive produced by Ava DuVernay (Selma), DMZ is set in the near future where Americans are fighting a second Civil War. This war has transformed Manhattan into a demilitarized zone (DMZ), a neutral territory shared between two conflicting sides.
Robert Patino, executive producer of Westworld, will serve as the series showrunner. DuVernay, who was nominated for an Oscar for the 2016 documentary 13th, directed the pilot episode.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Dawson plays Alma Ortega, a medic in search of her son, who went missing when New York City evacuated at the start of the war. During her search, Alma must deal with “militias, demagogues and warlords” that have risen because of the war. Bratt stars as one of these antagonists, the leader of a gang in the DMZ who has plans to expand his power.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this epic to the screen,”Patino told HR. “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.”
Also looking forward to sharing the series with audiences is DuVernay, who gave a shout out to Dawson on Twitter.
“Much love to my comrade @rosariodawson for leading the show with grace. Let’s go!”
Thanks to @HBOMax, @DCComics and @WarnerBros for joining forces with @ARRAYNow on this one and encouraging us to fly. This is a new vision of the DMZ, headed by the excellent Roberto Patino. Much love to my comrade @rosariodawson for leading the show with grace. Let’s go! https://t.co/gwPY7OiOd0
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) November 19, 2020