“Blindspotting” creator/writer/producer/director/actor Rafael Casal (Miles) talks about how touring with his music and poetry transformed into telling stories about his community in Oakland, CA in the award-winning Starz series.
Show Notes:
- Rafael Casal on IMDB
- Blindspotting on IMDB
- Season 2 Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tWaD6jLE04
Follow Blindspotting on Social
- Twitter: @blindspottingtv
- Instagram: @blindspottingstarz
Rafael Casal’s Bio:
“Miles”, Showrunner, Executive Producer, Director (201,202, 206, 208), Co-Writer (203, 208)
Rafael Casal is a critically acclaimed, award-nominated writer, director, actor, producer, poet and musician who grew up in the Bay Area. When the first season of “Blindspotting” aired, The Hollywood Reporter named Casal as one of the “Five Showrunners to Watch.” Season one has since been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, a Gotham Award, and has garnered 100% on Rotten Tomatoes while placing on many ‘Best of’ lists as one of the best new scripted series for 2021.
The series was born from the feature film, Blindspotting, which Casal co-wrote the screenplay with Daveed Diggs. It also marked his feature debut as an actor, playing ‘Miles.’ The celebrated film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews.
Casal recently wrapped a secret role in the upcoming second season of “Loki.” Other acting credits include the Emmy Award-winning “Bad Education,” opposite Hugh Jackman, and “The Good Lord Bird” with Ethan Hawke.
Casal first became noticed by audiences for his work on “Def Poetry,” which led to his ‘Theater-in-Verse’ works. It took Casal around the country and the world, where he performed at hundreds of colleges and international venues. As a musician, Casal has written music for “Central Park,” as well as music for “Blindspotting.” His digital content and music albums have garnered millions of views and listens, including being featured on MTV, SXSW in Austin and Sundance.
In addition, Casal is the co-founder and artistic director of the landmark BARS workshop at the famous The Public Theater in New York. He also founded and served for four years as the creative director for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s First Wave Undergraduate Arts Program and Scholarship, which was their first four-year Contemporary Performing Arts program.
About STARZ
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ® service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its international premium streaming platform STARZPLAY, now LIONSGATE+, to provide subscribers access to bold, curated storytelling. LIONSGATE+, coupled with the STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture in MENA and Lionsgate Play in South and Southeast Asia, has a footprint that extends across the globe. STARZ and LIONSGATE+ are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.
