Netflix Greenlights Timely ‘Social Distance’ Series From ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Creator

The creator of “Orange Is the New Black” is working on a new drama for Netflix. Jenji Kohan, the force behind the prison series, is producing a show specifically for the COVID-19 era. Her team is currently shooting the quarantine anthology series “Social Distance,” reports Deadline.

Given the stay-at-home dictates, the writers and actors all worked remotely. It’s a case of life imitates art.

“Our job as storytellers is to reflect reality, and in this new, bizarre, bewildering reality we are all experiencing, we feel passionate about finding connection as we all remain at a distance,” the producers said. “We’ve been inspired to create an anthology series that tells stories about the current moment we are living through — the unique, personal, deeply human stories that illustrate how we are living apart, together.”

Hilary Weisman Graham (“Orange Is The New Black, “Bones”) handles production from her living room. Diego Velasco (“Teenage Bounty Hunters”) is directing. The writers work virtually, while the cast acts and films themselves at home.

Kohan, Graham and Velasco, alongside Tara Herrmann (“Orange” writer) and Blake McCormick (“Single Parents,” “Mad Men”), will also co-executive produce.

Kohan, who created Showtime’s “Weeds,” is also an executive producer of Netflix’s “Glow.”

Separately, Netflix announced its first African original series, “Queen Sono,” has been renewed for a second season. Starring South Africa’s Pearl Thusi, the acclaimed series was created by director Kagiso Lediga.