Nowthisis some good news – HBO Max has ordered a 12-episode season of an all-new, 2D animated series calledYoung Love, based on the Oscar-winning short film “Hair Love.” The new series was created byMatthew A. Cherry, who will also serve as showrunner alongsideCarl Jones. Timing wasn’t announced but the animation will be handled by Sony Pictures Animation.
The original, utterly charming short film followed a young father as he attempts to do his daughter Zuri’s hair for the first time. It’s hilarious and heartfelt and ends on a bittersweet note, with Zuri and her dad visiting her mother, who is in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment (she’s lost all of her hair). It gave the entire short so much more weight and dimensionality and didn’t feel saccharine or manipulative.
According to the release: “The all-new animated seriesYoung Loveexpands on the family introduced in ‘Hair Love.’ Filled with comedy and heart,Young Loveis 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.” The parents have first and last names! The title of the show has a double meaning! This is all very exciting!
“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,” Cherry said in a statement. “Couldn’t ask for better partners in Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max in helping us getYoung Loveout to the world.”
Hopefully other key collaborators on the original short, like directorsBruce W. Smith(who is busy readyingaProud Familyreboot for Disney+) andEverett Downing, Jr. will also return. It’s also worth mentioning that in the original shortIssa Raeplayed the voice of the mother, now named Angela, but it remains to be seen if she’ll return for the full series.
HBO Max has been solidly committed to animation, whether it’s the new “Looney Tunes” shorts, theAdventure Timeminiseries, theStudio Ghiblilibrary anda new season ofInfinity Train.Young Lovecouldn’t have found a better home.
