David Simon is currently in the process of developing a new series for HBO, as reported exclusively by Variety. The drama project, tentatively titled 'The System,' will see Simon taking on the roles of writer and executive producer. Joining him in the writing and co-executive producing duties are Lily Thorne and Larissa MacFarquhar, with Kiese Laymon also contributing as a writer. The inspiration for the project stems from a series of articles penned by MacFarquhar for The New Yorker.
The premise of 'The System' revolves around an exploration of the foster care and child protective service systems through the perspectives of family court judges, lawyers, social workers, caretakers, mothers, and the children themselves. The show aims to delve into the complexities of the decision-making process involved in removing children from their families of origin, shedding light on both the risks and benefits inherent in such actions.
If the project moves forward, it will mark Simon's ninth collaboration with HBO. Simon is widely recognized for his work on the critically acclaimed series 'The Wire,' which aired for five seasons on the premium cable network. His most recent endeavor, the limited series 'We Own This City,' offered a gripping portrayal of the Baltimore Police Department's ill-fated Gun Trace Task Force. Simon's impressive roster of shows with HBO also includes 'The Plot Against America,' 'The Deuce,' 'Treme,' 'Show Me a Hero,' 'Generation Kill,' and 'The Corner.'
On the other hand, MacFarquhar has been a prominent contributor to The New Yorker since 1998, covering a diverse array of topics ranging from child protective services and adoption to hospice care. Her body of work includes numerous high-profile profiles, such as those of Barack Obama, Noam Chomsky, and Hilary Mantel. In 2016, Penguin Books published her non-fiction book 'Strangers Drowning: Impossible Idealism, Drastic Choices, and the Urge to Help.' 'The System' will serve as MacFarquhar's debut in the realm of television writing.
