Keegan-Michael Key
Comic and actor Keegan-Michael Key, who grew up in Southfield, has been named executive producer and star of "August Snow," an upcoming ABC drama about a biracial former detective who grew up in Detroit’s Mexicantown.
No date has been set for airing, the Hollywood publication Deadline reports.
That outlet says the series has received "a script commitment, plus penalty." That's Hollywood-speak, meaning there's been a commitment to buy a certain number of scripts, and if the series isn't picked up, the writer is paid a penalty fee.
The online publication that reports on the entertainment industry (not related to Deadline Detroit) reveals the story line:
After a distinguished military career, he joined the force like his father, only to be drummed out by a conspiracy led by corrupt cops and politicians. August hit back, winning an $18 million wrongful dismissal lawsuit, then packed his bags to travel the world. The series will open with August returning home to the city he has deep affection for in search of himself and reconnecting with his roots while also facing enemies on both sides of the law.
August becomes a private investigator, a Robin Hood from the hood, gathering a group of unexpectedly talented misfits to help him solve cases, invests his money to help reinvigorate his city in despair, and save himself along the way.
(Photo: Soho Press)
The show is based on Stephen Mack Jones' “August Snow” novel of 2017. Jones, born in Lansing and now lives in Farmington Hills, won the Nero Award for excellence in mystery writing and the Hammett Prize from the International Association of Crime Writers for excellence in crime writing.
Jones is a published poet, award-winning playwright and 2012 recipient of the Kresge Arts in Detroit Literary Fellowship. He worked in advertising and marketing communications before turning to fiction.
