Swarm, the new psychological thriller series on Prime, has been generating quite the buzz among viewers, who are now wondering whether the show is based on a true story, and if Beyoncé was involved in the making of the series.
Created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, Swarm follows the story of a young woman named Dre, whose obsession with a pop star takes a very dark turn. The show stars Dominique Fishback as Dre, with fictional singer Ni’Jah, who is clearly inspired by Beyoncé, making appearances throughout the series. The show also features Chloë Bailey, Paris Jackson, and Billie Eilish in supporting roles.
While Swarm is mostly fictional, parts of the story are based on true events that took place between 2016 and 2018 in America. According to Nabers, the pilot episode of the show is based on a real-life event that existed on the internet, involving a woman named Marissa Jackson, who allegedly committed suicide after watching Beyoncé’s visual album, Lemonade. This event sparked a rumor that became the inspiration for Swarm’s storyline.
Nabers, who is from Houston, Texas, said that there was a lot of texting between Houstonians trying to figure out who Marissa Jackson was and whether the story was true. Nabers further explained that the Marissa Jackson rumor served as a catalyst for the show and inspired her to research other crazy stories that have existed online or in the real world revolving around a particular musician.
Although Swarm is heavily inspired by Beyoncé, Beyoncé had no personal involvement in the making of the series. However, the show does feature Chlöe Bailey, who is signed to Beyoncé’s label Parkwood, in the role of Dre’s sister Marissa. Beyoncé’s artistry, visuals, and performance style are also referenced throughout the series, with Ni’Jah’s fandom in the show being called the Swarm, which is a clear reference to Beyoncé’s BeyHive.
When asked about Beyoncé’s thoughts on the series, Nabers stated that Donald and Beyoncé are friends and colleagues, and many people in their camp have worked with her and know her. While she could not comment further on whether Beyoncé has seen the series, Nabers did state that Amazon, the distributor of Swarm, is a legit corporation and that they would not do anything remotely uncouth.
In conclusion, Swarm is a fictional series with some parts of the storyline based on true events. While the show is heavily inspired by Beyoncé, Beyoncé had no personal involvement in the making of the series. However, with the show’s clear references to Beyoncé’s artistry and fandom, it’s safe to say that fans of the Queen B will definitely find Swarm to be an entertaining watch.
Also read: John Wick 5 Release Date: What’s The Future Of Chad Stahelski’s Hit Movie Series?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Is Swarm based off of a true story?
A: According to the disclaimer at the beginning of each episode of the Prime Video series, Swarm is not a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or events, is intentional.
Q: What was Swarm based on?
A: The creators of Swarm, which include executive producer and Atlanta creator Donald Glover, did extensive research to find real internet rumors and murders that could be incorporated into the narrative of the main character, Dre. The show’s writer and executive producer, Janine Nabers, has stated that the series is not a work of fiction.
Q: Is Swarm in the Atlanta universe?
A: Yes, Swarm is part of the same universe as Donald Glover’s Atlanta. Several of the writers and directors from Atlanta worked on Swarm, which is the first project from Glover under his overall deal with Amazon.