Steve McQueen's ‘Codes of Conduct’ Gets 'a Limited Series Order from HBO

Steve McQueen's pilot drama Codes of Conduct was given a six-episode limited series order by HBO according to Deadline.

Created by Steve McQueen, best known as the director of the critically acclaimed 12 Years a Slave, and by Matthew Michael Carnahan, the screenwriter for Brad Pitt's World War Z, the pilot drama Codes of Conduct has been described as "as an exploration of a young African-American man's experience entering New York high society, with a past that might not be what it seems." The show revolves around a character named Beverly Snow, described in the casting outline as "a young man from Queens as talented as he is ambiguous. His self-confidence will enable him to break into the social circles of Manhattan's elite, testing the boundaries of access and social mobility. Throughout the series, Beverly's ability will grant him access to a life larger in every way than the one to which he was born. His chameleon-like approach to life will test his nerve as he takes his future into his own hands."

The show's central character, Beverly Snow, will be portrayed by Devon Terrell, a relative newcomer with still no screen credits to his name. Regarding the selection of Terrell for the role, McQueen told reporters: "I needed to find an extraordinary actor. Although you're trying to find something you recognize, it's more about finding something you're surprised by.  Devon had this quality.  It was no easy task casting the character of Beverly Snow and, with the help of HBO, we left no stone unturned. This was a 10-month intense process in which we came across many talented actors, but only one Beverly."

Co-starring with Terrell are Helena Bonham Carter who plays Esther Kaufmann, an author and psychiatrist described as "a divorced mother of two grown boys now living life on her own terms - terms that change dramatically after she crosses paths with the enigmatic Snow" and Rebecca Hall who plays Rebecca Rotmensen, described as that of "the eldest child of a New York billionaire who emerges as Snow's foremost rival, and his equal in guile and ruthlessness." Paul Dano is also confirmed part of the cast and will play a character named Jared "Rowdy Rotty" Rotmensen.

McQueen will be directing all six episodes of the limited series. Executive producing the project are Russel Simmons, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, and Alan Paul, along with show creators McQueen and Carnahan.