DMZ: HBO Max orders adaptation from Ava DuVernay, Roberto Patino

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

HBO Max has handed out a series order to DMZ, a four-episode limited-series based upon the comic-book by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli that will be produced by Ava DuVernay (When They See Us) and Roberto Patino (Westworld).

The futuristic drama takes place in the near future when America is in the midst of a second civil war and Manhattan has become a demilitarized zone after it was destroyed and isolated from the rest of the world. Cheery stuff. Roberto Patino will write the series as well as serve as showrunner, with Ava DuVernay directing the pilot episode and executive producing alongside Patino. Rosario Dawson (Brianpatch) and Benjamin Bratt (Modern Family) are set to star, alongside Hoon Lee (Warrior), Freddy Miyares (When They See Us), and Jordan Preston Carter (The Haves and the Have Nots). DMZ will chronicle the "harrowing journey of fearless and fierce medic Alma Ortega (Dawson) to find the son she lost in the evacuation of New York City at the onset of the conflict. Throwing gasoline on the flames of that conflict is Parco Delgado (Bratt), the popular, and deadly, leader of one of the most powerful gangs in the DMZ. He wants to rule this new world and will stop at nothing to secure that outcome. The drama will examine the stark political and cultural divide in American society, where Alma must contend with the gangs, militias, demagogues and warlords that control this lawless no man’s land. In doing so, she becomes the unlikely source of what everyone there has lost…hope." In a statement, Roberto Patino said:

I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this epic to the screen with my boundary-pushing partners at WBTV and HBO Max, a sublime cast led by Rosario and Benjamin, and my partner and friend, the inimitable and ever-inspiring Ava DuVernay. DMZ offers up an explosive playground which, more than anything else, exalts the resilience of community and the human spirit. I can’t wait to welcome the die-hard fans of the comic books and new viewers alike to this intoxicating, haunting and inspiring world.

Sarah Aubrey, head of Original Content at HBO Max, added, "DMZ’s unflinching story of a country torn apart resonates eerily and profoundly amid our current state of the union. With the powerhouse visionary team of Ava and Roberto at the helm, bringing this critically acclaimed DC gem to life promises to entertain and inspire hope." Production on DMZ is expected to kick off next year.