Sterling K. Brown, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Winston Duke in Talks to Star in Limited Series Adaptation of Percival Everett’s The Trees

In an exclusive and highly anticipated development, Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Black Panther’s Winston Duke are in talks to lead a limited series adaptation of Percival Everett’s acclaimed 2022 novel, The Trees. The series adaptation, written by Marcus Gardley (The Chi), has sparked a competitive bidding war, according to sources.

Gardley is also serving as an executive producer, alongside Brown and Abby Victor for Indian Meadows, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and Katie Zucker through Mad Massive Entertainment, and Everett himself. The studio behind the project is UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The Trees is a fast-paced thriller that addresses themes of racism and police violence. The story begins with a series of brutal murders in the rural town of Money, Mississippi. When detectives from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation arrive, they face resistance from local authorities and racist townspeople. Each crime scene contains a second victim resembling Emmett Till, suggesting acts of retribution. As similar murders spread nationwide, the detectives seek answers from a local root doctor who has been chronicling lynchings across the country, revealing a buried and painful history.

While roles are yet to be officially confirmed, Brown and Duke are believed to be cast as the lead detectives.

This project reunites Brown and Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, who recently collaborated on the limited series Washington Black. Hinds serves as creator, showrunner, and executive producer, while Brown stars and executive produces the series adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel, which premiered on Hulu.

Sterling K. Brown, a three-time Emmy winner and Oscar nominee, is also noted for his performances in American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and This Is Us. This year, Brown earned two Emmy nominations for his Hulu series Paradise. He is represented by Jennifer Wiley-Moxley (JWM Entertainment Group), CAA, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph, known for her Oscar-winning role in The Holdovers, and her Emmy-nominated performance in Hulu’s Only Murders In the Building, will also star. Randolph’s upcoming projects include Eternity and The Gallerist. She is represented by CAA and Fox Rothschild.

Winston Duke rose to fame as M’Baku in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), starring in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His other credits include The Fall Guy, Jordan Peele’s Us, and Nine Days, which he executive produced. Duke is represented by CAA, M88, and attorney John Meigs.

Percival Everett’s The Trees was shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize and won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award. Everett is represented by CAA and the Melanie Jackson Agency.

Marcus Gardley co-wrote the 2023 film adaptation of The Color Purple and has credits including NOS4A2, Maid, and Foundation. He is represented by CAA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer.

Selwyn Seyfu Hinds has written and produced for Jordan Peele’s reboot of The Twilight Zone and is developing multiple projects, including Prince Of Cats and 1000 Miles. Under an overall deal with UCP, he is also developing a series based on Usher’s album Confessions. Hinds is represented by CAA, Entertainment 360, and Del Shaw Moonves.