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HBO Max orders animated series from former Akron Zips football player and Oscar winner Matthew A. Cherry

"Young Love" will continue the story of the characters that Cherry found Oscar gold with in the animated short, "Hair Love."

LOS ANGELES — HBO Max has ordered a 12-episode season of "Young Love," an extension of the characters from Matthew A. Cherry's Oscar-winning animated short, "Hair Love," Variety reports.

"I am beyond excited to continue telling the story of Stephen, Angela and Zuri and further explore the dynamics of a young Black millennial family we established in our short film Hair Love as an animated series," the former Akron Zip star Cherry said. "Couldn't ask for better partners in Sony Pictures Animation and HBO Max in helping us get 'Young Love' out to the world."

"Hair Love" won Best Animated Short Film at the 2020 Academy Awards. "Young Love" will reportedly flesh out the story of the characters as they juggle their careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and multi-generational dynamics. 

"'Hair Love' struck a chord that is still resonating deeply with audiences of all ages," said Billy Wee, HBO Max's senior vice president of original animation. "Matthew and Sony Animation's creative voices are a welcomed addition to the HBO Max family and we can't wait to bring this joyous story to the world."

Cherry was an All-MAC wide receiver at Akron and graduated with a media degree, and after three years on various NFL preseason rosters and practice squads began his film career. Besides "Hair Love," he directed the full-length feature films "The Last Fall" and "9 Rides."

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