Barry Jenkins to direct all episodes of 'Underground Railroad'

June 5 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning writer-director Barry Jenkins has signed on to helm all 11 episodes of The Underground Railroad.

The Amazon Prime Video series is based on Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about slavery in 19th-century America. No casting has been announced yet.

"Working with Amazon and a wonderful group of screenwriters to develop Colson's novel into a limited series has been an extremely rewarding experience. Translating his singular voice into a cohesive and equally singular visual language is a task I very much look forward to," Jenkins said in a statement Tuesday.

"It's an absolute gift to have Barry Jenkins commit to directing all the episodes for our upcoming limited series The Underground Railroad," added Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. "Barry's eye for character and sustained exhilarating, emotional storytelling style ensures that this project is in the right hands. We can't wait to get started and bring this significant story to our Prime Video audience."

Jenkins, 38, helmed Moonlight, the winner of the 2017 Best Picture Oscar, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.