Winston Duke to Headline Apple Series ‘Swagger’

By Joe Otterson, Variety
Published Oct. 1, 2019, 2:50 p.m. ET

Black Panther star Winston Duke has been cast in the lead role of the Apple TV Plus series Swagger.

Inspired by NBA champion Kevin Durant’s youth basketball experiences, Swagger explores the world of youth basketball, and the players, their families and coaches who walk the fine line between dreams and ambition, and opportunism and corruption.

Duke will star as Ike, a youth basketball coach and former star player. Production on the series is slated to begin this month.

Duke had his breakout role in the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther, playing the role of M’Baku, leader of the Jabari Tribe. He reprised the role in both Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. He is also known for starring in Jordan Peele’s latest film, Us, which debuted in theaters back in March. Swagger will mark the first regular television role of Duke’s career. He has previously appeared on shows like Person of Interest, Law & Order: SVU, Major Crimes, and Modern Family.

He is repped by CAA and Hansen Jacobson.

Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo will executive produce for Imagine Television Studios along with Durant, Thirty Five Ventures’ Rich Kleiman and Reggie Rock Bythewood. The series hails from Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios. James Seidman will oversee the project for Imagine. Sarah Flynn will serve as executive for Thirty Five Ventures.

Apple TV Plus is due to launch on Nov. 1, with the streaming service costing $4.99 a month. Shows available at launch will include The Morning Show, Dickinson, See, and For All Mankind.