Hulu Not moving forward on Sammy Davis Jr. Limited Series; Project Seeks New Platform

By DaMarko Webster

Hulu has decided not to proceed with its previously announced limited series featuring Sammy Davis Jr., where Elijah Kelley was set to portray the iconic entertainer. The project, helmed by Lee Daniels and produced by 20th Television, is now being actively pitched to alternative platforms. In a strategic move, 20th Television aims to enhance the project’s appeal by securing additional high-profile talent before seeking a new home for the series.

This development follows Hulu’s initial order for the Sammy Davis Jr. limited series in April 2022. Showrunner Kimberly Harrison joined the project in February 2023. Co-written by Daniels and Thomas Westfall, drawing inspiration from Will Haygood’s biography, “In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr.,” and influenced by Alex Haley’s interview with Davis, the eight-episode series delves into the entertainer’s life, exploring his experiences with racial identity and his intricate relationship with the Black community.

The narrative centers around Davis, portrayed by Elijah Kelley, who catapulted from childhood stardom in vaudeville to become one of the most renowned African American entertainers of the 1950s and ’60s. As the sole Black member of Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, Davis navigated a career laden with controversy and ridicule. The series delves into various aspects of his life, including his romantic entanglements with white film stars, his 1960 marriage to Swedish actress May Britt, his conversion to Judaism, his affiliations with the Kennedys and later Richard Nixon, and his struggles with alcohol and drugs.

Despite Hulu’s decision, the studio remains committed to the project and is actively seeking a new streaming home, showcasing its determination to bring the Sammy Davis Jr. story to the screen.