Matthew Cherry’s latest series, “Young Love,” is set to debut on MAX on September 21st. This animated show expands upon the narrative presented in Cherry’s Academy Award-winning short film, “Hair Love.”
Described by MAX as a “sincere, heartfelt, and humor-infused glimpse into the lives of African-American millennial parents,” the series follows Stephen Love (portrayed by Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi) and Angela Young (played by Issa Rae) as they navigate the relatable challenges of contemporary life.
Angela, who has recently entered remission after a two-month cancer battle, grapples with reestablishing her career as a hairstylist, while Love embarks on a quest to find success as a musician in a fiercely competitive industry. Together, they tackle the demands of parenthood with their charming and comical daughter, Zuri (played by Brooke Monroe Conaway).
The series is set in Chicago, where this close-knit family discovers heartwarming and relatable approaches to managing their professional lives, marriage, parenting, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics while collectively striving for a better life.
The ensemble cast includes Issa Rae, Kid Cudi, Brooke Monroe Conaway, as well as Loretta Devine in the role of Gigi Young, Harry Lennix as Russell Young, Tamar Braxton as Star, Sheryl Lee Ralph as Sheree, Debra Wilson, and more.
Matthew Cherry, when “Young Love” was greenlit in July 2020, expressed his excitement about continuing the story, stating, “I am thrilled to keep sharing the journey of Stephen, Angela, and Zuri and delve deeper into the dynamics of this young Black millennial family, as introduced in our short film, ‘Hair Love,’ now as an animated series. We couldn’t have asked for better partners than Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max to bring ‘Young Love’ to a global audience.”
Billy Wee, SVP Original Animation for HBO Max, also commented on the series, saying, “Hair Love resonated deeply with audiences of all ages. Matthew and Sony Animation’s creative voices are a valuable addition to the HBO Max family, and we eagerly look forward to sharing this heartwarming story with the world.”
Following its premiere, the 12-episode season will release four episodes weekly until its season finale on Thursday, October 5th. Get a sneak peek of the series in the preview below.
