SyFy has announced a series order for a TV adaptation of Vault Comics’ Vagrant Queen, starring a Black queen of a galactic kingdom who is on the run from those trying to kill her. Not only is this series one of the few out there to highlight Black women in sci-fi, but it is also going to be written and directed by a team only of women.
The show has been described as a “fun, violent, snarky, space opera.” Here’s the official synopsis:
“Vagrant Queen follows Elida from child queen to orphaned outcast, as she scavenges the treacherous corners of the galaxy, always one step ahead of the Republic government out to extinguish her bloodline. When her old friend Isaac shows up claiming her mother Xevelyn is still alive, they head off with their new ally, Amae, to stage a rescue that will take her back into the perilous heart of her former kingdom and up against a deadly foe from her childhood, Commander Lazaro.”
Adriyan Rae has been cast as Edlia and Tim Rozon as Isaac. Commander Lazaro will be played by Paul du Toit. Executive producers include Lance Samuels and Daniel Iron along, with Vault Comics’ F.J. DeSanto and Damian Wassel. Mika Collins and Mariko Tamaki make up the show’s all-female writing team, with Jem Garrard as creator and showrunner. Garrard is also confirmed to direct as well as Danishka Esterhazy.
Vagrant Queen‘s series order seems to show that the tide is changing as to how sci-fi and fantasy shows are treated and cast. HBO, for instance, has greenlit a series based on Stranger Comics’ Asunda series of comics, featuring the character of Niobe, co-created by Stranger Comics’ Sebastian A. Jones and Amandla Stenberg. HBO is also gearing up for their Game of Thronesspinoff which prominently features Black actors.
Rae is an up-and-coming actress who was recently seen in guest spots on Star, Atlanta and she appeared in last summer’s Superfly film.
