He's been a style icon and picked up awards for his acting in the likes of Pose, but Billy Porter is ready to add director to his CV. He'll make his debut with high school-set drama What If?
Alvaro García Lecuona wrote the script, which is described as in the vein of Booksmart and Love, Simon. The story follows Khal, who posts to Reddit forum r/relationships about his crush on trans classmate Kelsa. Encouraged by the support he receives, he strikes up a relationship with her that they both must figure out as they also navigate senior year.
"I’m thrilled to be part of this new space in Hollywood for telling all types of stories from all types of people," Porter says in a statement. "I am grateful to be in a position to usher some of these stories into the mainstream and I am humbled that heavy hitters like [producers] Christine Vachon and Alana Mayo have entrusted and empowered me in this insane time we all find ourselves in."
On the performance front, Porter will be seen in Sony's new take on Cinderella, due out next year, and is the voice of Audrey II in the latest adaptation of Little Shop Of Horrors, which has yet to start shooting.