Jaden Smith has joined Baz Luhrmann‘s music-driven Netflix period drama “The Get Down,” Variety has learned.
The actor will play Marcus “Dizzee” Kipling, a talented and enigmatic graffiti writer raised in the South Bronx.
“We as an audience have known Jaden since he was very young,” said Luhrmann. “Recently, Jaden has been seeking diverse and challenging roles, and this is a testament to his passion to grow in the craft. In the short time he has joined our acting family, he has begun developing his ‘The Get Down’ skill set, even taking lessons from the legendary graffiti artist Lady Pink of ‘Wild Style’ fame, as well as steeping himself in the history and culture of the Bronx. We’re all very happy with the casting of Jaden in the role of ‘Dizzee’ Kipling, and with his addition, the Kipling family cast is now complete.”
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The series, which is set in 1970s New York, focuses on characters played by newcomers Tremaine Brown Jr, Justice Smith, Shameik Moore and Skylan Brooks — teens struggling to survive who find outlets through music. Other cast members include Jimmy Smits, Herizen Guardiola, Yahya Abdul-Mateen and Mamoudou Athie.
It is executive produced by Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Paul Watters, Thomas Kelly, Stephen Adly Guirgis, Shawn Ryan and Marney Hochman.
The 13-episode drama from Sony Pictures Television will debut in all Netflix territories in 2016.
