Oscar-Winning Short Film Hair Love Gets Series Order at HBO Max

Oscar-winning short film Hair Love gets series order at HBO Max

HBO has given a 12-episode series order to director Matthew A. Cherry’s newest 2D-animated series titled Young Love, which will be a spinoff sequel of Sony Pictures Animation’s Academy Award-winning short film Hair Love which you can check out below if haven’t had the chance to see it. This project will become a part of Cherry’s first-look deal with Warner Bros. TV which he officially signed last June.

“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 get Young Love out to the world.”

Young Love will continue to expand the world of the Young family – including millennial parents Stephen and Angela, their daughter Zuri and her pet cat Rocky – as they juggle careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics while striving to make a better life for themselves.

Based on Cherry’s best-selling children’s book (which you can order here), the original short film Hair Love debuted in 2019 where it tells a heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter’s hair for the first time. It successfully won the Best Animated Short Film at the 92nd Academy Awards.

“Hair Love struck a chord that is still resonating deeply with audiences of all ages. Matthew and Sony Animation’s creative voices are a welcomed addition to the HBO Max family and we can’t wait to bring this joyous story to the world.” SVP Original Animation for HBO Max, Billy Wee said.

Young Love hails from Cherry and Carl Jones, who will both serve as showrunners. It will be executive produced by the film’s producer Blue Key Entertainment’s Monica A. Young along with Lion Forge Animation’s David Steward II and Carl Reed.