Ava DuVernay to direct drama about controversial criminal case for Netflix

New York — Netflix says the historic case of the Central Park Five will be brought to life in a limited series to be written and directed by Ava DuVernay.

The five-episode drama will be based on the true story of five teenagers from Harlem who were wrongly convicted of raping Trisha Meili while she was jogging in New York's Central Park. Each part will focus on one of the five teens, spanning from spring 1989, when each was first questioned, to 2014, when they were exonerated.

DuVernay said the case had riveted her for decades, with its "five innocent young men of color who were met with injustice at every turn."

Five innocent teens of color. Coerced confessions. Unjust incarceration. Demands for their death by the man who would become President. #CP5 https://t.co/Tzw2fFBTZa

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 6, 2017

There was no announcement of cast members or a release date.

DuVernay's credits include the feature film Selma and the drama series Queen Sugar.