OWN has tabbed Tarell Alvin McCraney to create a new dramatic series, the network said.

McCraney, the co-writer and executive producer of the Academy Award-winning Best Picture Moonlight, will create, write and executive produce the new coming-of-age drama from Warner Horizon Scripted Television, said OWN.

The series, inspired by events in McCraney’s own life, follows a 14-year old prodigy from the projects who must choose between the streets that raised him or the higher education that may offer him a way out.

Mike Kelley and Melissa Loy (Revenge/Swingtown) will serve as executive producers alongside Michael B. Jordan (Creed).

“When Tarell shared his powerful story with us there wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” said OWN CEO Oprah Winfrey in a statement. “I knew this was something special that our viewers will without a doubt connect to and feel compelled to explore with us. I am honored to be working with Tarell and the rest of the producers on this project.”

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Amazon has greenlit new limited drama series The Underground Railroad, based on Colson Whitehead’s National Book Award winning novel.

The series will be directed by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and will chronicle the journey of a young slave woman as she makes a bid for freedom in the antebellum South, according to Amazon.

The Underground Railroad will be produced by Pastel (Moonlight) and Plan B (Moonlight, 12 Years A Slave), said the company.

“Colson Whitehead’s book is a sweeping, character driven, boundary destroying epic,” said Joe Lewis, Head of Comedy, Drama and VR for Amazon Studios in a statement. “Having Barry bring it to life for Amazon Studios is thrilling. We couldn’t be more excited to see what they create.”