Nearly two years after stepping into the national spotlight, Aurora teen Jeremiah Daniels is reaching a global audience as his debut film streams worldwide.
“Color Book,” a film that premiered at festivals across the country, premiered on Netflix on June 19, just ahead of Father’s Day. Jeremiah, now 14, stars in the film, which follows a father raising a son with Down syndrome while navigating grief and resilience.
“I think it is pretty good,” he said. “I felt amazing that everybody received my movie.”
The project has already connected with audiences nationwide, including its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and winning more than 30 honors on the film festival circuit. Still, the Daniels family said they feel that the global release brings a new level of impact.
“The highlights, honestly, have been reaching the different Down syndrome communities and connecting and showing what’s possible,” said Joi Daniels, Jeremiah’s mother. “And just now knowing that it’s going to be global and translated into several languages, that’s a lot.”
Dad Terrance Daniels said Jeremiah’s success really hit him as his son has begun getting recognized by strangers in public.
“I recall being out one afternoon at one of the local festivals and seeing a young lady point Jeremiah out,” he said. “People saying, ‘Hey, I’ve seen your interview’ and saying that they’re so excited for you.”
Despite the attention, his parents say Jeremiah remains grounded.
“He’s very humble and he’s excited about the movie,” Joi said. “He’s happy, he’s thankful, but he doesn’t have a big head.”
Jeremiah said acting continues to feel natural.
“I think it’s pretty fun,” he said, of his role portraying the character, Mason.
The Danielses said the film has also contributed to broader conversations about representation in the special-needs community, especially including families of color.
“It means that they’re finally being seen and being heard, and it shows that times are changing,” Joi said. “I’m just excited for the Down syndrome community in general to be seen and to be heard and to be celebrated.”
Terrance said the decision for Jeremiah to audition for the role grew from a moment when he and his wife were sitting on their sofa one day and noticed a person with Down syndrome featured on a television show. It prompted a conversation among them about limited representation on screen.
“That moment on the couch was an inspiring moment,” he said. “The fact that we saw a child with Down syndrome in general represented on the screen was beautiful.”
He said being a part of this larger than life film experience with their son has reinforced a larger lesson: “That anything is possible,” he said. “He’s always shown us the way.”
The film’s focus on the relationship between a father and son also reflects their real-life dynamic.
“There’s a level of patience that is required when parenting Jeremiah,” Terrance said. “The care piece is very important.”
Jeremiah expressed his admiration for his father.
“I love him so much,” he said. “He’s a great father.”
Jeremiah and Terrance also spoke on a panel about self-advocacy at an international Down syndrome conference that was held in Denver.
“I’m thankful for the research that they are doing to help prolong the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,” Terrance said. “It would help to know that when I’ve moved on from this world and Joi has moved on from this world, that there will be answers and medicine and research to help Jeremiah to continue to thrive.”
Joi said she believes that including lived experiences in research is critical, especially for those in communities of color in the special-needs community who are often left out of those conversations.
“I think it’s extremely important because without the voices and without parents and young people advocating for themselves about the things that are needed, then the scientists don’t have any ideas,” she said.
As for what comes next, Jeremiah said he has big plans.
“I’m going to do acting, I’m going to do basketball; do a little bit of everything,” he said.
“Color Book” is now streaming on Netflix.
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