Jaden Smith Added To 'The Get Down' Cast

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

Netflix has tapped actor/musician Jaden Smith for its new music-driven drama The Get Down, said network officials.

Smith, the son of actor Will Smith, joins the cast for the 1970s Bronx series in the role of Marcus "Dizzee" Kipling, 18, a psychedelically talented and enigmatic graffiti writer raised in the South Bronx, said Netflix. The Baz Luhrmann-produced series will debut on the OTT service in 2016.

"We as an audience have known Jaden since he was very young," said Luhrmann in a statement. "We’re all very happy with the casting of Jaden in the role of 'Dizzee' Kipling, and with his addition, the Kipling family cast is now complete." 

Previously announced cast members include Jimmy Smits, Herizen Guardiola, Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, Skylan Brooks, Tremaine Brown, Jr., Yahya Abdul-Mateen and Mamoudou Athie.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.