HBO has released the full-length official trailer forWatchmen, the highly anticipated upcoming TV series. Loosely based on the graphic novel of the same name, the new show is described as a remix as well as a sequel toAlan Moore’s seminal work, withLostandThe LeftoversshowrunnerDamon Lindelofat the helm.
The show takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma (my hometown—918 represent) and findsRegina Kingfilling the lead role of Tulsa Police Force detective Angela Abar. HBO is keeping most character information under wraps for now, so all we have to go on is what we see in the trailers. Hall is also a masked vigilante of sorts, withJean Smartplaying FBI Agent Laurie Blake andDon Johnsonas Tulsa Police Force chief Judd Crawford. We’ve also gotJeremy Ironsin a mystery role that many think is an older version of the character Ozymandius.
What’s encouraging about this trailer is that Lindelof isn’t simply reworking the graphic novel for his own satisfaction. The show is tackling real-world issues like “enhanced interrogation,” vigilantism, and the relationship between police and its citizens. If you’re wondering why the series is set in Tulsa, the town was once home to what was known as “Black Wall Street”—the wealthiest black community in the United States. It was entirely destroyed during the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921, and race relations in the city have never been the same since.
So yeah, you could say I’m excited for this. Especially in the wake of the brilliance of Lindelof’s HBO seriesThe Leftovers.
Check out the newWatchmentrailer below. The series premieres on HBO on October 20th and also starsTim Blake Nelson,Lous Gossett Jr.,Yahya Abdul-Mateen II,Tom Mison,Frances Fisher,Sara Vickers,Hong Chau,Andrew Howard,Jacob Ming-Trent,Dylan Schombing, andJames Wolk.
Here’s the official synopsis for the pilot episode ofWatchmen:
Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, WATCHMEN, from executive producer Damon Lindelof (Emmy® winner for “Lost”; HBO’s “The Leftovers”) embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name, while attempting to break new ground of its own. Nicole Kassell directs the pilot from a script written by Lindelof.
