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David Makes Man
David Makes Man
David Makes Man
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David Makes Man
Promotional poster
Genre
Created byTarell Alvin McCraney
Starring
  • Akili McDowell
  • Alana Arenas
  • Isaiah Johnson
  • Ade Chike Torbert
  • Travis Coles
  • Cayden K. Williams
  • Nathaniel Logan McIntyre
  • Jordan Bolger
  • Phylicia Rashad
ComposerGary Gunn
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producers
Running time41–57 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkOWN
ReleaseAugust 14, 2019 (2019-08-14) –
August 24, 2021 (2021-08-24)

David Makes Man is an American coming-of-age drama television series that premiered on August 14, 2019, on OWN. In December 2019, OWN renewed the series for a second season which premiered on June 22, 2021.

Premise

[edit]

David Makes Man follows a 14-year-old named David "from the projects who is haunted by the death of his friend and relied on by his hardworking mother to find a way out of poverty."[1]

Cast and characters

[edit]

Main

[edit]
  • Akili McDowell as David
    • Kwame Patterson as Adult David (season 2)[2]
  • Alana Arenas as Gloria, David's and JG's mother
  • Phylicia Rashad as Dr. Woods-Trap
  • Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as Seren
    • Kyle Beltran as Adult Seren (recurring season 2)
  • Isaiah Johnson as Sky
  • Ade Chike Torbert as Raynan
  • Jordan Bolger as Shinobi
  • Cayden K. Williams as JG (Jonathan Greg), David's younger brother and Gloria's younger son
  • Travis Coles as Mx. Elijah
  • Daniel Augustin as Eman
  • Gillian Williams as Jessica Kelly
  • Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Dr. Bree
  • Elvis Nolasco as Tio-Teo
  • Randy Gonzalez as Mr. Lopez
  • Lela Rochon as Alma
  • Trace Lysette as Femi
  • Liza Colón-Zayas as Principal Fallow
  • Juanita Jennings as Mrs. Hertrude
  • Lindsey Blackwell as Marissa
  • Solomon Valdez as Willie Derrick
  • Teshi Thomas as Tare
    • Aba Arthur as Adult Tare (season 2)
  • Nick Creegan as Desmond
  • Kimaya Naomi as Shella
    • Zsané Jhé as Adult Shella (season 2)[3]
  • Logan Rozos as Star Child
  • Tony Plana as Joe Padilla (season 2)[3]
  • Brittany S. Hall as Nicole (season 2)[3]
  • Bobbi Baker as Robin (season 2)[3]
  • Patrice Arenas as Denise (season 2)[3]
  • Trinity Cidel as Trenise (season 2)[3]
  • Brandi Huzzie as Trisha (season 2)[3]
  • Rodney Gardiner as Corey Roberts (season 2)[3]
  • Janmarco Santiago as Elan (season 2)[3]

Episodes

[edit]

Series overview

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
110August 14, 2019 (2019-08-14)October 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)
210June 22, 2021 (2021-06-22)August 24, 2021 (2021-08-24)

Season 1 (2019)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"David's Sky"Michael Francis WilliamsTarell Alvin McCraneyAugust 14, 2019 (2019-08-14)0.537[4]
An introduction to David's world. At school, David acts out and jokes around, but all is not what it seems. At the Ville, he acts as a protector to his brother JG and has to navigate the more dangerous aspects of his living situation. Throughout all of this, he's haunted by a person from his past.
22"Dai Out"Kiel Adrian ScottTarell Alvin McCraney & Lucien Christian Adderley & Richard "Byrd" WilsonAugust 21, 2019 (2019-08-21)0.425[5]
David takes JG to JG's grandfather's house, but is joined by an unwanted guest. David has to make up for his failure as lookout by delivering a package all while trying to beat his mother home from her shift. On his journey home, he meets Femi and Star. Star is on his way to the Ville to stay with Mx. Elijah.
33"MJB"Kiel Adrian ScottTeleplay by : Tarell Alvin McCraney
Story by : Tarell Alvin McCraney & Lucien Christian Adderley & Richard "Byrd" Wilson		August 28, 2019 (2019-08-28)0.461[6]
David meets with the school counselor. Dr. Woods-Trap tasks David with incorporating Seren into his "Where I came from presentation," and tells him he will have to present the next day or lose 50 points on his grade. Seren will only help if David spends the night. David gets a glimpse into Seren's seemingly picturesque home life as well as a glimpse into his parents' behavior.
44"Gloria"Kiel Adrian ScottDenitria Harris-LawrenceSeptember 4, 2019 (2019-09-04)0.503[7]
Gloria starts the day hopeful about a job promotion, but her day gets progressively worse, with rude customers, sexual harassment, a bad fall leaving her left side bruised, and then getting fired. When she arrives at home, JG has caused issues with the landlord after he set his bed sheets on fire after having another accident. Mx. Elijah tries to cheer Gloria up by taking her to the Gala, but, after a fantasy of a fun night, Gloria declines.
55"Love or Poetize These Hoes"Daina ReidJaquen CastellanosSeptember 11, 2019 (2019-09-11)0.549[8]
Gloria is at home full-time and discovers David's school is throwing a school dance and tells him he is attending and has to ask a girl. He initially asks Marissa, who looks shocked and excited, but when he tells her he's only asking because he had to ask someone, she declines and asks Seren instead. David asks a girl from the Ville, Tare. At the dance, she's able to easily feel comfortable, but David is constantly guarded. Frustrated, Tare leaves. David follows her home on the bus where they start to bond.
66"When It All Falls"Daina ReidJohn J. StraussSeptember 18, 2019 (2019-09-18)0.349[9]
Gloria struggles with the bureaucracy associated with unemployment, as well as her sobriety. JG sells the sneakers his grandfather gave him to pay the rent, but put cash into the dropbox, not realizing it can easily be stolen. David attends an informational session for Hurston, and plays up his situation, to the dismay of Dr. Woods-Trap, whose recommendation he is desperately seeking. David and Gloria both make questionable decisions in order to get the rent paid.
77"Son of Man"Daina ReidAllison DavisSeptember 25, 2019 (2019-09-25)0.300[10]
It's Halloween! And also the day of Seren's big church solo. David accompanies the Kelly's to church, and sees more evidence of the turmoil Seren deals with at home. The Kelly's drop David off at the Ville and Gloria invites Seren to stay for Halloween, and Mx. Elijah helps Seren and David with their costumes. David, meanwhile, is also working to make his prescription pad theft worth the risk, and starts to formulate a plan on how to get pills to sell without getting caught, with Mx. Elijah even in on the scheme. Seren leaves the Ville, but hands David a note before he departs.
88"Bubble House"Cheryl DunyeJohn J. Strauss & Jaquen CastellanosOctober 2, 2019 (2019-10-02)0.291[11]
A hurricane is coming, but there are bigger issues in David's world. Seren is missing, and his parents think David had something to do with it. Dr. Bree suspects David of stealing his prescription pad. Dr. Woods-Trap scolds David for how he uses his situation to his advantage again and David calls her out on it, and may have cost himself a recommendation letter. Meanwhile, in the Ville, the prescription drug scheme results in a raid, a loss of life, and David finding out Raynan's involvement in Sky's murder. One bright spot, Mx. Elijah lets David know one plan of his was actually a success as the "package" arrived in Tampa.
99"Some I Love Who Are Dead"Cheryl DunyeAllison Davis & Denitria Harris-LawrenceOctober 9, 2019 (2019-10-09)0.370[12]
The residents of the Ville deal with the loss of one of their own while preparing for the oncoming hurricane. Raynan has to hunker down with the people he wants to avoid most. Gloria reluctantly takes David and JG to her mother's where both their past mistakes are dredge up. David and Gloria have a heart to heart.
1010"3 Sons' Sky"Cheryl DunyeTeleplay by : Tarell Alvin McCraney
Story by : Lucien Christian Adderley & Richard "Byrd" Wilson		October 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)0.333[13]
The hurricane has passed and residents return to the Ville, but they are still not safe. David realizes he must end the prescription pad scheme and find a way to rid the Ville of Desmond, Shinobi, and Teo for good. Mrs. Kelly returns to the Ville looking for Seren and continues to accuse David of knowing something. Gloria struggles. David and Tare continue to connect.

Season 2 (2021)

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [14]Directed byWritten byOriginal release date [14]U.S. viewers
(millions)
111"Barrel of Oranges"Kiel Adrian ScottTeleplay by : Tarell Alvin McCraney
Story by : Lucien Christian Adderley & Richard Wilson		June 22, 2021 (2021-06-22)0.365[15]
Years have passed. David is now a strategic marketer for urban planning, JG is a cop now married with a teenage daughter, and Gloria is 15 years sober running a home for foster children. David is working toward becoming a partner at his firm and taking big swings with a new client. JG and Gloria haven't forgotten the ville, and JG still visits Mx. Elijiah to bring groceries. While making a trip, JG tries to break apart a fight and is accidentally shot. He makes it to the hospital and is breathing on his own, but the doctors say there is internal bleeding that will require surgery.
122"Hurston"Kiel Adrian ScottLucien Christian Adderley & Richard WilsonJune 29, 2021 (2021-06-29)0.356[16]
A flashback to David's sophomore year at Hurston. At first, David appears to be well acclimated to the school and has several friends, but he is constantly reminded of how he is different from the other boys at his school. He eventually gets suspended for fighting after his "friend" repeatedly uses a racial slur. When he returns, his friends continue to provoke him resulting in a swimming race where David gets a leg cramp and almost drowns. It is revealed to be the dream of an adult David. When he wakes up, he gets a phone call from his mom urging him to come to the hospital.
133"Y'all Gucci"Erica A. WatsonKristin Palombo & John J. StraussJuly 6, 2021 (2021-07-06)0.339[17]
JG's condition improves, but the doctors find more damage once they operate and recommend inducing a coma. David has trouble coping and walks out of a therapy session. At work, Joe Padilla is less than pleased with opposition coming from the environmentalist so he assigns Elan to be David's assistant. JG is released from the hospital after being in a coma for 5 days and goes back to his mother's house for a welcome home party. Sheela stops by and reconnects with JG. David goes back to therapyp, ostensibly to quit, but his therapist tells him why he needs to continue, resulting in him seeing more visions of people from his past.
144"Savage, Classy, Bougie, Ratchet"Erica A. WatsonDenitria Harris-LawrenceJuly 13, 2021 (2021-07-13)0.453[18]
Many things are happening in the Ville. Sheela is trying to get payment from delinquent renters. David stops by to do some more reconnaissance for his development project and runs into Marissa doing environmental work. Sheela confronts David to find out whats going on and reaches out to Gloria to get some help in stopping David's plan. David spends some time with Mx. Elijah at their home for the first time in 15 years and sees how difficult things have become for them. JG stops by the Ville to drop off groceries for Mx. Elijah and connects with Sheela.
155"My Own Best Friend"Kiel Adrian ScottJaquen CastellanosJuly 20, 2021 (2021-07-20)0.349[19]
David tries to think positively but he ends up making a bigger mess of things. At work, Joe realizes David lied by omission about JG and feels he cannot work with him until David comes up with a plan that hinges on JG's help, which JG is reluctant to give. JG and Trish are fighting and their daughter hears everything, leading her to consider running away. David also messes things up with Nicole by telling her too much information. Aside from all things going on in David's life he runs into Tare and the two catch up.
166"Vizcaya"Erica A. WatsonTarell Alvin McCraneyJuly 27, 2021 (2021-07-27)0.336[20]
David finally reunites with Seren on the night of the charity event, and there are more surprise visitors abound. Shella feels uncomfortable in more ways than one. David stages a plea at the event to get Joe to change his mind about the mall and develop homes instead, which Joe accepts, as planned. David come to terms that he needs an escape so he turns to Seren for help.
177"No Atheists in Rabbit Holes"Kiel Adrian ScottAllison DavisAugust 3, 2021 (2021-08-03)0.177[21]
David spends the night at Seren's as he and JG both deal with fallout from the charity event. Seren reveals the real reason why he stayed away from Miami all these years. JG goes looking for comfort and may have created a bigger problem. David returns to the Ville and gets a much needed pep talk from Mx. Elijah.
188"Chaos is Come Again"Kiel Adrian ScottJohn J. StraussAugust 10, 2021 (2021-08-10)0.182[22]
David goes to therapy hoping his therapist can be used as a strategy session, but he ends up spending an intense hour working on his inner demons and realizing why his life is so filled with chaos.
199"Homecoming"Erica A. WatsonDenitria Harris-Lawrence & Jaquen CastellanosAugust 17, 2021 (2021-08-17)0.111[23]
David allows his inner child to express himself with surprising results, including a realization. JG is struggling with the fallout of the shooting, but, to complicate matters, his daughter Trenise goes missing. Gloria, JG, and David look for her in the Ville, but each end up leaving with a new perspective of their behavior. David gets a surprise when he goes into his apartment: he finds Trenise sitting there.
2010"Trouble the Water"Erica A. WatsonAllison Davis & Tarell Alvin McCraneyAugust 24, 2021 (2021-08-24)0.144[24]
Trenise shows up at David's, informing JG. He later, with her help, finds a way to solve the problems with the Ville and Joe Padilla with a new perspective so, he, Shella, and Mx. Elijah along with the rest of the Ville residents, team up for a major turnaround with the board meeting, which turns into a success. David reconnects with Nicole and has a heart to heart with Gloria about her upcoming move. JG and Shella are honest with each other.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

On August 16, 2017, it was reported that Oprah Winfrey Network had given the production a straight-to-series order created by Tarell Alvin McCraney.[25] On June 26, 2018, it was announced that Dee Harris-Lawrence will be the showrunner and set to serve as an executive producer along with Tarell Alvin McCraney, Mike Kelley, Melissa Loy, Michael B. Jordan, and Oprah Winfrey. Production companies involved with the series were slated to include Warner Horizon Scripted Television, Page Fright, and Outlier Productions. The series was set to premiere on August 14, 2019.[1][26][27] The pilot episode was premiered at South by Southwest on March 10, 2019.[28] On December 19, 2019, OWN renewed the series for a second season.[29] On June 29, 2020, HBO Max acquired the streaming rights for the series which was debuted on July 16, 2020.[30] The series' producer Dee Harris-Lawrence most recently signed an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Studios.[31] The second season premiered on June 22, 2021.[32]

Casting

[edit]

In June 2018, it was announced that Akili McDowell, Phylicia Rashad, Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, Isaiah Johnson, Ade Chike Torbert, Jordan Bolger, Cayden K. Williams, and Travis Coles are cast as series regulars.[1] In August 2018, Alana Arenas has been cast as a series regular while Gillian Williams, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Elvis Nolasco, and Randy Gonzalez are cast in recurring roles.[33] On October 25, 2018, Lela Rochon, Trace Lysette, Liza Colón-Zayas, Juanita Jennings, Lindsey Blackwell, Solomon Valdez, Teshi Thomas, and newcomers Nick Creegan, Kimaya Naomi and Logan Rozos have joined the series in recurring roles.[34] On August 6, 2020, Kwame Patterson and Arlen Escarpeta were cast in starring roles for the second season.[2] On December 8, 2020, Tony Plana, Brittany S. Hall, Erica Luttrell, Zsané Jhé, Bobbi Baker, Patrice Arenas, Trinity Cidel, Brandi Huzzie, Rodney Gardiner, and Janmarco Santiago joined the cast in recurring roles for the second season.[3]

Filming

[edit]

Production began in the summer of 2018 in Orlando, Florida.[1]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 100% based on 23 reviews, with an average rating of 8.98/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Powerful, beautiful, and like nothing else on TV, David Makes Man blends dreamy aesthetics with an empathetically crafted story to create a truly unique viewing experience."[35] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[36]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref
2019 Gotham Awards Breakthrough Series - Longform David Makes Man Nominated [37]
2019 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Drama Series David Makes Man Nominated [38]
2020 Peabody Awards Entertainment David Makes Man Won [39]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

David Makes Man

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is an American coming-of-age drama television series created by that explores the life of a gifted adolescent from a low-income in . The program premiered on the (OWN) on August 14, , and follows protagonist , portrayed by Akili McDowell, a 14-year-old prodigy who attends an elite while contending with the demands of his impoverished neighborhood, including reliance on him by his mother and the recent death of a close friend. McCraney, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter known for Moonlight, drew semi-autobiographical elements into the narrative, emphasizing code-switching between contrasting social worlds and the pressures of academic potential amid environmental hardships. The series received critical acclaim for its lyrical storytelling and depiction of Black boyhood, earning a Peabody Award and high ratings from reviewers. A second season, renewed in December , shifts focus to David in his thirties as a rising entrepreneur confronting professional and personal dilemmas that test his earlier foundations.

Series Overview

Premise and Setting

David Makes Man centers on David, a 14-year-old academically gifted Black boy living in a low-income housing project in , who navigates the challenges of maintaining high academic performance at an elite while supporting his family amid personal trauma. The grapples with the recent of a close friend, which haunts him psychologically, as he assumes significant responsibilities for his single mother Gloria, a hardworking nurse, and his younger brother Seren, who attends the same gifted program but faces his own vulnerabilities. David's journey involves between the survival-oriented dynamics of his neighborhood—marked by , , and community pressures—and the aspirational, intellectually rigorous world of his , where he contends with expectations from teachers like Dr. Bree, who pushes him toward excellence. The series is set primarily in a stylized depiction of Miami's urban underbelly, drawing from the creator Tarell Alvin McCraney's experiences in Liberty City, Florida, to portray the vibrant yet precarious environment of projects contrasted against the more affluent, structured settings of the Cutler Bay Academy of Science and Technology, the fictional . This dual setting underscores David's internal and external conflicts, with the projects representing immediate familial and communal obligations intertwined with risks of local crime and loss, while the school embodies opportunities for escape through intellectual achievement but demands cultural adaptation. The narrative employs a lyrical, semi-surreal aesthetic influenced by South Florida's cultural landscape, including references to local , weather, and social rhythms, to immerse viewers in David's bifurcated reality.

Themes and Narrative Style

The series examines Black boyhood through the experiences of protagonist David, a 14-year-old gifted student grappling with adolescence, family obligations, and the schisms between his academic world and street life in a Florida housing project. Central themes include identity formation amid poverty, where David shoulders responsibility for his recovering-addict mother while facing limited opportunities in the Ville, a community marked by addiction, violence, and mutual support. It portrays the emotional wonder and panic of approaching adulthood, including code-switching between personas—"D.J." at his magnet school and "Dai" in the neighborhood—to navigate class and cultural divides. Additional motifs encompass found and spiritual resilience, as David draws guidance from surrogate figures in a non-nuclear that shelters and fosters bonds amid hardship. The underscores aspiration versus peril, with David's intellectual potential at an underprivileged school clashing against threats from local dealers and trauma, reflecting broader tensions in impoverished neighborhoods. In narrative style, David Makes Man employs lyrical and magical realism to probe psychological depths, interweaving gritty realism with dream sequences, ghostly apparitions, and internal monologues. Deceased mentor manifests as a phantom offering riddles and , blending counsel with flashbacks and trance-like visions that externalize David's turmoil. This approach, influenced by creator Tarell Alvin McCraney's theatrical roots, prioritizes introspective emotional landscapes over conventional plotting, using Florida's eccentric backdrop—such as vibrant pink housing and quirky locals—to fuse everyday oddities with adolescent peril.

Production History

Development and Creation

David Makes Man was created by and Tarell Alvin McCraney, who drew directly from his childhood experiences growing up in Miami's Liberty City housing projects, where his mother struggled with addiction. The series centers on a young protagonist navigating similar familial hardships and the pressures of between impoverished community life and an elite for gifted students, elements McCraney encountered personally as he attended advanced academic programs while living in subsidized housing. Unlike McCraney's real-life story, where his mother died at age 22 from AIDS-related complications tied to her addiction, the show's narrative allows the mother character to achieve sobriety, offering a redemptive arc informed by McCraney's reflections on resilience and imagination as survival tools. McCraney conceptualized the series to explore Black boyhood through a lens of magical realism and psychological depth, emphasizing the protagonist David's internal world and shapeshifting identity as he grapples with trauma and ambition. He served as writer, executive producer, and showrunner, collaborating with director DeMane Davis on the pilot episode after the two bonded over shared losses—their mothers' battles with addiction—which deepened the project's emotional authenticity. The narrative structure begins in David's adolescence but flashes forward to his adult life confronting gentrification in his former neighborhood, a motif McCraney linked to real changes in Liberty City following the success of his earlier work Moonlight, which filmed nearby and contributed to urban redevelopment. Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) greenlit the series for straight-to-production in 2017, bypassing a pilot phase due to McCraney's established reputation from Moonlight, for which he shared the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2017. Executive producers included McCraney alongside Mike Kelley, Melissa Loy, and representatives from Michael B. Jordan's Outlier Society, which focused on authentic representation by prioritizing diverse hires in front of and behind the camera. This partnership aligned with OWN's emphasis on uplifting stories of Black family dynamics, leading to the series premiere on August 14, 2019.

Casting Process

The casting for David Makes Man was led by director Carmen Cuba, whose expertise assisted creator in selecting the titular protagonist amid a challenging search for an authentic young performer capable of embodying the role's emotional depth. McCraney highlighted the daunting nature of the process but credited Cuba's guidance in discovering Akili McDowell, a then-14-year-old newcomer from with limited prior screen experience, to portray . In June 2018, OWN announced the core ensemble, emphasizing a blend of emerging talents and veterans to capture the series' themes of resilience and duality in a community, including McDowell as the gifted teen , Alana Arenas as his mother Gloria, as mentor Dr. Woods-Trappeur, Isaiah Johnson as Seren, and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as JG. This initial lineup focused on actors who could navigate between street life and academic aspirations, aligning with McCraney's vision drawn from personal experiences. Subsequent additions in August 2018 expanded the series regulars and recurring roles, incorporating performers like Gillian Williams as Velma, , and Alana Arenas in a promoted capacity, to deepen the portrayal of community dynamics and support 's journey. For season 2, which shifted focus to adult , director Heather Heinz handled select roles, including young actors for ensemble parts, while Kwame Patterson was selected as the grown-up to maintain narrative continuity with the original's introspective tone. The process prioritized performers with raw authenticity over star power, reflecting McCraney's commitment to undiluted representations of Black boyhood free from stereotypical constraints.

Filming and Technical Aspects

Principal photography for the first season of David Makes Man commenced in August 2018 in , which doubled as a for the series' setting in Homestead. Filming occurred primarily at Universal Studios Orlando, with constructed interior sets, exteriors in surrounding neighborhoods, and portions shot at . A captured one day of footage in to authenticate specific locations. Preparations involved three weeks in followed by three weeks in Orlando. Cinematographer Todd A. Dos Reis oversaw the visual style for season 1, employing three ARRI Alexa Mini cameras to differentiate the protagonist David's dual worlds. Housing project scenes in "The Ville" utilized hand-held shooting with Cooke anamorphic lenses for a chaotic, intimate feel, paired with desaturated cool blue tones via cyan fluorescent housings, mercury vapor lights, and helium balloon rigs simulating moonlight ambience. In contrast, academy scenes adopted stable platforms like dollies, cranes, and with Cooke Panchro/i Classic spherical lenses, emphasizing warmer natural lighting from early morning or late afternoon sources to convey stability and aspiration; visionary sequences incorporated Lensbaby lenses for surreal effects. Lighting techniques included gelled safety lights, LED patches, and candlelit interiors inspired by practical sources, minimizing artificial fill to embrace expressive darkness. Challenges included managing Florida's humid day exteriors with 40×40 quarter silks for diffusion and choreographing low-light scenes, such as heated discussions lit by flames using taped LED dots. Episodes run approximately 43 minutes in color, with processing handled by Encore Hollywood. For season 2, production resumed in October 2020 in , under cinematographer Bob Scott.

Cast and Characters

Protagonist and Family

David serves as the central of the series, depicted as a 14-year-old academically gifted youth residing in a low-income housing project in . Portrayed by Akili McDowell in season 1, he navigates the dual pressures of excelling in an elite for gifted students and surviving the violence and temptations of his neighborhood, often between these contrasting environments. In season 2, an adult version of , played by Kwame Patterson, confronts lingering traumas from his youth while pursuing professional ambitions. David's immediate family includes his single mother, Gloria, portrayed by Alana Arenas, who works long hours as a to support her household amid financial instability and unresolved personal hardships from her past. Gloria exerts significant influence on David, urging him toward academic success while grappling with her own vulnerabilities, including a history of difficult relationships and economic struggles. David's younger brother, Seren, played by Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (with Kyle Beltran as adult Seren in season 2), depends on him for emotional and practical support in their unstable home life. Seren represents the and within the , often caught in the ripple effects of neighborhood dangers and familial tensions that David attempts to shield him from. The family dynamic underscores themes of resilience and , with frequently assuming a caretaker role due to Gloria's demanding work schedule and the absence of a consistent . This structure positions the household as a microcosm of broader socioeconomic challenges faced by working-class families in the series' setting.

Supporting Roles

Travis Coles portrays Mx. , a non-binary neighbor in the projects who acts as a mentor and emotional anchor for and JG, drawing on personal experiences of to guide them through identity struggles and community pressures. Isaiah Johnson plays , a deceased neighborhood figure whose spectral presence haunts David, symbolizing unresolved trauma from and the pull of local power dynamics that contrast with David's academic path. embodies Dr. Woods-Trap, David's rigorous teacher at the Cutler Tech Academy, who enforces high standards, assigns pivotal projects like partnering David with Seren, and urges him to integrate his personal hardships with intellectual growth. Additional supporting characters include Ade Chike Torbert as Hurston, a complex associate in David's adult life during season 2, and recurring season 2 roles such as as Dr. Brett, a aiding David's sessions.

Episodes and Broadcast

Season Structure

The series consists of two seasons, each comprising 10 episodes broadcast on the (OWN). Season 1, which premiered on August 14, 2019, and concluded on October 9, 2019, centers on the as a 14-year-old navigating in a housing project while excelling academically. Season 2, renewed in 2019 and airing from June 22, 2021, to August 24, 2021, advances the timeline by approximately 20 years, depicting as a burgeoning adult entrepreneur confronting professional and personal challenges in a corporate environment. This structural shift from youthful coming-of-age struggles to mature existential dilemmas underscores the narrative's exploration of identity and ambition across life stages, with no further seasons produced as of 2025.

Season 1 (2019)

Season 1 of David Makes Man premiered on August 14, 2019, on the (OWN), airing weekly on Wednesdays for eight episodes until the finale on October 2, 2019. The season centers on David Watson, a 14-year-old mathematical prodigy from the low-income housing projects called The Ville in , who attends an elite while contending with familial responsibilities, street influences from peers like Seren, and psychological strains including vivid dreams and moral dilemmas. The narrative explores David's dual existence, balancing academic excellence under mentors like Dr. Woods-Trapnell with survival pressures in his neighborhood, where his mother Gloria works multiple jobs and his younger brother Seren faces health issues and local gang enticements. Key recurring elements include David's internal conflicts, symbolized by surreal dream sequences, and interactions with figures like the enigmatic , who influences his worldview.
EpisodeTitleOriginal air dateSynopsis excerpt
1David's SkyAugust 14, 2019David rushes to after a , transforms into a poised , but faces altercations revealing home stresses.
2Dai OutAugust 21, 2019David navigates dynamics and neighborhood loyalties amid family tensions.
3MJBAugust 28, 2019Focus shifts to Seren's recovery and David's protective instincts in the .
4GloriaSeptember 4, 2019Gloria's sacrifices and workplace struggles intersect with David's ambitions.
5Love or ConsequencesSeptember 11, 2019David weighs personal relationships against risky decisions.
6White BoysSeptember 18, 2019Cultural clashes at challenge David's identity.
7Blossom in the MudSeptember 25, 2019Growth amid adversity tests family bonds.
8Hurry SlowOctober 2, 2019Climactic resolutions address David's path forward.
The episodes were written primarily by series co-creator Tarell Alvin McCraney, with direction from various filmmakers including Michael Francis Williams for the pilot. Broadcast on OWN, the season drew attention for its poetic style and focus on Black boyhood resilience without overt sensationalism.

Season 2 (2021)

The second season of David Makes Man premiered on OWN on June 22, 2021, and consisted of 10 episodes airing weekly on Tuesdays from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The season marked a significant time jump from the first, advancing the narrative to depict protagonist David Watson in his thirties as a rising businessman, portrayed by Kwame Patterson. This shift emphasized David's efforts to balance professional ambitions with lingering ties to his childhood community in The Ville, confronting an opportunity poised to reshape his family dynamics. Episodes explored David's adult challenges, including business dealings and personal reckonings with past traumas, while incorporating flashbacks to his youth. The aired on August 24, 2021.
EpisodeTitleOriginal Air Date
2.01Barrel of OrangesJune 22, 2021
2.02HurstonJune 29, 2021
2.03Y'all July 6, 2021
2.04Savage. Classy. Bougie.July 13, 2021
2.05The CovenJuly 20, 2021
2.06VizcayaJuly 27, 2021
2.07No Atheists in Rabbit HolesAugust 3, 2021
2.08Chaos is Come AgainAugust 10, 2021
2.09HomecomingAugust 17, 2021
2.10August 24, 2021

Future Prospects

As of October 26, 2025, David Makes Man remains in pending status for a potential third season, with OWN having neither renewed nor officially canceled the series following the conclusion of its second season on August 24, 2021. The lack of renewal announcements since 2021 suggests limited immediate prospects, as networks typically decide on continuations within one to two years of a season's finale to maintain momentum and cast availability. Complicating any revival efforts is the August 2024 arrest of lead actor Akili McDowell, who portrayed David Young, on charges of stemming from a shooting incident in , . McDowell, then 21, faces first-degree accusations, with authorities alleging he fired multiple shots into an occupied vehicle; he has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody awaiting trial. This development, reported by local and confirmed in filings, could deter production due to scheduling uncertainties, reputational risks, and the need for recasting the central character in any future narrative arc. Creator has not publicly indicated plans for additional seasons in recent interviews, focusing instead on other projects including theater productions and adaptations. OWN's programming strategy, which emphasizes and has prioritized renewals for higher-profile titles like All Rise, further diminishes the likelihood of continuation without new creative or commercial incentives. Absent official updates from (OWN's parent company), the series' future appears dormant, with no scheduled production or spin-off developments announced.

Reception and Analysis

Critical Reviews

The first season of David Makes Man garnered universal acclaim from critics. On , it holds a 100% Tomatometer score based on 23 reviews, with the consensus highlighting its "powerful, beautiful, and unique" blend of dreamy aesthetics and empathetically crafted storytelling. assigned it a score of 81 out of 100 from 11 critic reviews, reflecting broad positive sentiment. Reviewers frequently commended the series' visual style, performances, and exploration of Black boyhood, with calling it a "remarkable series" that stands out for its "visually stunning" and depth in portraying a young protagonist's dual worlds. described the narrative as a "poignant , emphasizing the lead Akili McDowell's ability to convey a boy's internal conflicts across disparate environments. praised its "spiritual meditation on found family" and surreal depiction of community ties unbound by blood. Reception for the second season was more varied, with fewer aggregated scores available due to limited reviews. Rotten Tomatoes lists two fresh reviews without a formal Tomatometer, while audience scores sat at 64% from under 50 ratings. Metacritic deferred scoring pending additional critiques. Critics noted strengths in performances, particularly McDowell's "full-body" portrayal of an adult David marked by emotional restraint and physical tension, as observed by The New Yorker. However, Rolling Stone found early episodes "less immersive and powerful" than the first season's, attributing some disconnect to the significant time jump and unresolved childhood themes, though it appreciated the new cast's contributions. Paste Magazine characterized the season as a "slow burn" requiring patience to unfold its potential amid the narrative shift to David's older life. Overall, while the sophomore outing sustained praise for thematic continuity in aging and identity, it drew critique for pacing and structural choices that diluted the initial season's intensity.

Audience Response and Viewership

Audience reception to David Makes Man was largely positive among viewers who engaged with the series, emphasizing its authentic depiction of Black boyhood, strong writing, and emotional depth. On , the show holds an average user rating of 7.5 out of 10 from 690 ratings, with reviewers frequently highlighting the pilot episode's impact and the performances, such as one user stating it was "relatable and excellent well written show. Best I've seen in years" and another describing it as taking off "like a rocket" due to its stylistic drama. Viewer polls conducted by TV Series Finale, aggregating fan votes post-episode, reflected high enthusiasm: Season 1 averaged 9.7 out of 10 across 1,934 votes, while Season 2 averaged 9.1 out of 10 from 107 votes, indicating sustained but diminishing sample engagement in the second season. These polls, while not representative of total viewership, suggest strong approval from dedicated audiences who rated episodes consistently above 9.0 for most of Season 1. Viewership data for the OWN series, which aired from August 2019 to July 2021, remains limited in public Nielsen reports, consistent with its niche cable positioning rather than broad broadcast appeal. Parrot Analytics measured audience demand at 2.5 times the average U.S. TV show level, underscoring elevated interest relative to peers despite the absence of blockbuster metrics. The smaller vote tallies in Season 2 polls may reflect reduced promotional push or audience fatigue, though positive feedback persisted on themes of resilience and identity.

Accolades and Nominations

David Makes Man earned recognition from prestigious awards bodies for its storytelling and production quality. The series received a nomination for Best Drama Series at the 5th in 2020, highlighting its impact as a limited series debut. It was also nominated for Breakthrough Limited Series at the 30th Gotham Independent Film Awards in 2019, acknowledging its innovative narrative structure. The program secured a in the Entertainment category in 2020, commended for its poetic exploration of a young Black prodigy's struggles in Florida's marginalized communities, blending magical realism with social commentary. This win underscored the series' excellence in television drama, as selected from over 1,000 entries by the board.
YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2019Gotham Independent Film AwardsBreakthrough Limited SeriesDavid Makes ManNominated
2020Best Drama SeriesDavid Makes ManNominated
2020EntertainmentDavid Makes ManWon
No nominations were reported for major ceremonies such as the or , despite critical praise for its representation of experiences.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Influence on Television Representation

contributed to television representation by offering a multifaceted of boyhood, emphasizing intellectual potential alongside socioeconomic challenges rather than conforming to reductive urban . The series follows 14-year-old , a gifted student in an upscale program where he is one of only two participants, exploring the tensions of between academic excellence and neighborhood survival. Critics noted its avoidance of pathologizing surrounding characters, instead portraying community resilience and personal agency in low-income environments. This approach earned the first season a Peabody Award in 2020, recognizing its innovative narrative of young male interiority amid a resurgence of teen boy-centered stories. The program also integrated queer themes, drawing from creator Tarell Alvin McCraney's semi-autobiographical experiences as a young individual, to examine and identity within familial and communal contexts. Panels at events like Outfronts highlighted discussions on queerness in narratives, positioning the series alongside works addressing non-tragic LGBTQ+ outcomes. Further advancing transgender visibility, David Makes Man featured actor Logan Rozos as a trans male character, one of few such roles for trans men of color on television at the time, which commended for signaling improved transmasculine representation. Rozos, who came out as at age 15, received recognition in 's inaugural 20 Under 20 list in 2020 for his contributions to authentic portrayals. The series thereby supported broader efforts to transcend stereotypical narratives of trans people of color, integrating such elements into stories of holistic community dynamics rather than isolated trauma.

Broader Societal Reflections

"David Makes Man" illuminates the persistent challenges of generational in communities, portraying protagonist David's life in as marked by familial , sibling involvement in the drug trade, and limited . This narrative aligns with showing that 21.3% of adults in the United States have lived in for three consecutive generations, a rate over 16 times higher than the 1.2% among white adults, often linked to concentrated disadvantage in urban areas. The series emphasizes how such environments constrain individual potential, with David's giftedness at a clashing against community pressures, mirroring data on youth where 37% attended high-poverty public schools in fall 2021, correlating with elevated risks of disrupted . The show's exploration of trauma—from loss and violence to psychological dissociation via magical realism—reflects broader patterns of emotional strain on Black boys, who face disproportionate suspension and expulsion rates in schools, exacerbating cycles of disengagement. Creator , drawing from his own upbringing amid maternal addiction, uses David's between academic and street personas to underscore the cognitive and identity burdens of aspiring beyond one's , a dynamic supported by studies on neighborhood effects limiting upward mobility for minority youth. While external factors like segregation contribute to concentration, causal analyses highlight internal dynamics, including instability, as key perpetuators, with single-parent households—prevalent in the series' depiction—associated with higher persistence across racial groups. Ultimately, the narrative advocates resilience through intellect and , as seen in David's interactions with Dr. Woods-Trap, prompting societal consideration of targeted interventions like expanded gifted programs in underserved areas to disrupt traps, though indicates that such efforts yield mixed results without addressing behavioral and familial contributors.

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