Netflix orders 'Dear White People' series

LOS ANGELES, May 6 (UPI) -- Netflix is developing a Dear White People series for 2017.

The streaming site announced the news in a press release Thursday, revealing it will adapt the Justin Simien movie into a 10-episode, half-hour comedy series.

Simien will write the series and direct the pilot episode. Stephanie Allain Bray and Julia Lebedev, executive producer and producer on Dear White People, will co-executive produce with Devon Shepard.

"Justin is a gifted storyteller whose bold, unique vision is perfectly suited to Netflix," original content vice president Cindy Holland said. "His original film Dear White People announced the arrival of a fresh, creative voice that had everyone talking."

"We're proud to expand our partnership with our friends at Netflix on a comedy that tackles racial themes with a combination of intelligence, honesty, irreverence and wit," Lionsgate Television executive vice president Chris Selak added.

Dear White People opened in 2014 and starred Tessa Thompson, Tyler James Williams, Teyonah Parris and Brandon Bell. The movie explores the racial tensions at a fictional Ivy League college through the eyes of African-American students.

"It's official! Lionel, Sam, Coco, Troy are coming to @netflix," the movie's official Twitter wrote, appearing to confirm Thompson, Williams, Parrish and Bell for the series.

Simien said he's "grateful" for the chance "to give a voice to those too often unheard in our culture" and "tell great stories from new points of view." The director praised Netflix and Lionsgate, saying the series is "an honor [he doesn't] take lightly.