Yahoo Lifestyle Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe Directing ‘Sk8 or Die: The Lee Ralph Story’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Oscar-winning duo Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe (“Two Distant Strangers,” HBO’s “BS High”) are to direct and executive produce “Sk8 or Die: The Lee Ralph Story.” The upcoming series is an anthology exploring the wild and highly unique life of Lee Ralph, a former pro skateboarder turned folk hero and recluse.
Vinnie Bennett (“Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga,” “Whina,” “Human Traces”) and Oscar-nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (“FBI: Most Wanted,” “Whale Rider,” “Game of Thrones”) are set to lead the cast, with Bennet portraying Ralph and Castle-Hughes playing his sister and partner in crime Kim Ralph.
More from Variety
The six-part show was hatched by New Zealand-based production company Tavake (“Madam”). Skateboarding ace Tony Hawk and “Jackass” touring comedian and skate culture legend, Steve-O are on board to executive produce. Free and Roe executive produce under their The Unreasnble banner.
Tavake principals Tom Hern (“The Dark Horse,” “Shadow in the Cloud,” “The Panthers”) and Halaifonua (Nua) Finau (“The Panthers,” “Red White and Brass”) co-wrote the series and will serve as showrunners. Hern will also direct some episodes. Julian Arahanga will act as a producer for Tavake.
A six-episode first season is currently in advanced development, with the plan for each season to follow the life of a different character within skate-boarding culture.
The first season will span Ralph’s colorful childhood in New Zealand, where he looked up to his heroin-dealing father, his rise to becoming a Vision skate pro in the late 1980s – often skating barefoot – as well as what happened after he vanished from the sport, right at his peak.
The series has been commissioned by Sky New Zealand Originals in New Zealand. Tavake is currently seeking international co-production and financing partners to greenlight the series.
“I’ve known Lee for nearly 20 years. He’s a dear friend and one of a kind. I’ve always known about his skating achievements and his somewhat mythical antics for years, but it wasn’t until researching this project that Nua and I learned about all the other crazy, incredible aspects to his story,” said Hern. “In addition to the ‘Forrest Gump’-like twists and turns of his life, Lee and his family’s story is touching and inspiring.”
“We’ve wanted to work with Tom and Nua for a couple years, we’ve just loved everything they’ve made and their sensibility mirrored ours perfectly,” said The Unreasnble duo. “Lee’s story [..] explores such deep themes of love and redemption in this crazy, high-energy way, we couldn’t stop talking about it and reading about Lee’s truly unique life. There’s a lot to learn, enjoy and reflect on in Lee’s story.”
Tavake’s 10-part sex work comedy-drama, “Madam” starring Rachel Griffiths and Martin Henderson was recently crowned ‘best creation’ at The Golden Nymph Awards at the Monte-Carlo TV Festival. The series is being distributed globally by Fifth Season.
Author, podcaster and stunt comedian Steve-O completed a sold-out tour “The Bucket List,” and from Oct. 4 will embark on another, “The Super Dummy Tour.”
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
