Swarm creative team includes co-writer Malia Obama – Chicago Sun-Times
Everyone is buzzing about Swarm.
In Amazon Prime Videos horror comedy (all seven episodes now streaming), Judas and the Black Messiah breakout Dominique Fishback plays Dre, a crazed fan of a Beyonc-like pop star named NiJah (Nirine S. Brown) who takes her obsession to murderous extremes. The series was co-created by Janine Nabers and Donald Glover, making his return to TV after FXs Emmy-winning Atlanta.
The dark and surreal new show has received, well, swarms of attention for its characters similarities to Beyonc and her fans, who call themselves the Beyhive.
Heres everything you need to know about the series, which co-stars Billie Eilish and is co-written by Malia Obama:
Each episode of Swarm begins with a title card that reads, Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is intentional. The show is inspired in part by an urban legend that circulated online following the release of Beyoncs 2016 album Lemonade, which hints at husband Jay-Zs alleged infidelity.
Janine Nabers (from left). Billie Eilish and Donald Glover attend the Swarm premiere Tuesday in Los Angeles.
In April 2016, when a certain visual album dropped, there was a rumor that a girl named Marissa Jackson killed herself because she realized that a certain pop star was being cheated on by her husband, Nabers said last week during a Q&A at South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, according to IndieWire. I was on a text thread with some of my Houstonian friends, and for two days we thought this was a real event.
The story was quickly debunked, but it stuck with Nabers.
When Donald pitched this idea about a Black woman whos obsessed with a pop star, I said, I know what the pilot is and ran with it.
Other online rumors and true crimes also made their way into Swarm, Nabers told Entertainment Tonight: After you see the show and you go to the internet, you will see that a lot of it holds up.
Along with Fishback, the series features a hot young cast of stars: Dres sister, Marissa, is played by Chloe Bailey, who is half of R&B duo Chloe x Halle with her sister, future The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey. Singer/model Paris Jackson, daughter of the late Michael Jackson, portrays a stripper who befriends Dre. And seven-time Grammy winner Billie Eilish makes her acting debut as a hypnotic cult leader who interrogates Dre in a pair of teaser clips.
Eilish, who walked the red carpet at the Swarm premiere in Los Angeles, is a longtime fan of Glover. She called him one of her all-time favorite creators on her Apple Music podcast in 2020. She also brought out Glover, who goes by the stage name Childish Gambino, to perform at her concert in Inglewood, California, last December.
You may spot a notable name among the shows creative team: Malia Obama, daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama. The former presidents daughter landed her first full-time writing gig on Swarm after interning for HBOs Girls and working as a production assistant on CBS Extant.
Shes an incredible writer and artist, Nabers told People. We really wanted to give her the opportunity to get her feet wet in TV and see if this is something she wants to continue doing.
Speaking to Nerdist, Nabers called Obama a little bit of a Wikipedia page when it comes to movies, adding that she had some really wild, incredible pitches.
Glover echoed praise for Obama in an interview with Vanity Fair.
Shes really focused, and shes working really hard, Glover said. I feel like shes just somebody whos going to have really good things coming soon.
Swarm in no way tries to hide its Beyonc influences, with fictional pop star NiJah recreating almost exact images from Queen Bs Renaissance and Everything is Love eras. NiJah also hails from Beys hometown of Houston. But Nabers has played coy about whether the superstar signed off on the series.
Asked at SXSW whether Beyonc has seen the show, Nabers answered, Of course, but declined to elaborate. Reviews for Swarm have mostly been positive, and Glover told The Hollywood Reporter that he hopes Beyoncs fans are willing to go on the ride.
Beyhive, dont kill us, Glover joked. Its not that bad, its actually pretty cool!
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Swarm creative team includes co-writer Malia Obama - Chicago Sun-Times
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