Max is revving up the anticipation for Duster, the upcoming crime thriller from J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, by dropping the first teaser and some slick first-look images. Set to premiere on May 15, the eight-episode series takes us back to 1972, following Nina (Rachel Hilson), the first Black female FBI agent, as she heads to the Southwest with a mission: recruit a getaway driver (Josh Holloway) to take down a growing crime syndicate led by the formidable Ezra (Keith David).
And let’s just say—this isn’t your typical cat-and-mouse chase. The teaser gives us a taste of the high-stakes world Hilson’s character is stepping into. “I was warned not to come see you, that you’re nothing but a loyal driver,” Nina tells Holloway’s character in the opening moments. What follows? A montage of fast-paced action, seedy backrooms, and an ominous question from Keith David’s crime boss: “How do you feel about violence?”
With Hilson and Holloway leading the charge, the cast also includes Sydney Elisabeth (Genesis), Greg Grunberg (Abbott), Camille Guaty (Izzy), Asivak Koostachin (Awan), Adriana Aluna Martinez (Luna), and Benjamin Charles Watson (Royce).
For longtime fans of Lost, this series marks a reunion between Abrams and Holloway, and it’s clear the duo is leaning into the swagger and grit of the era. From the funky soundtrack to the retro costumes, Duster drips with ‘70s crime-thriller energy, and Holloway slips back into his signature role: the smooth-talking, slightly reckless antihero. Meanwhile, Hilson is stepping into her own spotlight, delivering a performance that already looks like a career-defining moment.
The series is executive produced by Abrams, Morgan, and Rachel Rusch Rich for Bad Robot, along with Morgan’s TinkerToy Productions. The first two episodes were written by Abrams and Morgan, with Steph Green directing and executive producing.
While the series is not based on the true story of Sylvia Mathis, the first Black female FBI agent in real life, Duster taps into the same spirit of resilience and trailblazing ambition. Mathis made history in 1976, breaking barriers in a field that had long excluded Black women. A graduate of Indiana University’s law school, she joined the FBI at a time when diversity within federal law enforcement was nearly nonexistent. Though her tenure was brief, her impact was lasting, paving the way for future generations of Black women in the Bureau. While Duster takes a fictionalized approach set in 1972, its protagonist, Nina (Rachel Hilson), echoes the courage and determination that defined real-life pioneers like Mathis.
Max is rolling out Duster with weekly releases leading up to the finale on July 3, so buckle up—it’s going to be a ride. Check out the first teaser and let us know: Are you ready to hit the road with Duster?
