{"id":134905,"date":"2026-06-26T11:09:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:09:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/netflix-debuts-film-featuring-aurora-teen-with-down-syndrome\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T11:09:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:09:34","slug":"netflix-debuts-film-featuring-aurora-teen-with-down-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/netflix-debuts-film-featuring-aurora-teen-with-down-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Netflix debuts film featuring Aurora teen with Down syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Will
Will Catlett, left, and Jeremiah Daniels of Aurora star in the movie, \u201cColor Book.\u201d (Courtesy of Nikolaus Summerer)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Nearly two years after stepping into the national spotlight, Aurora teen Jeremiah Daniels is reaching a global audience as his debut film streams worldwide.<\/p>\n

\u201cColor Book,\u201d a film that premiered at festivals across the country, premiered on Netflix on June 19, just ahead of Father\u2019s Day. Jeremiah, now 14, stars in the film, which follows a father raising a son with Down syndrome while navigating grief and resilience.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it is pretty good,\u201d he said. \u201cI felt amazing that everybody received my movie.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe highlights, honestly, have been reaching the different Down syndrome communities and connecting and showing what\u2019s possible,\u201d said Joi Daniels, Jeremiah\u2019s mother. \u201cAnd just now knowing that it\u2019s going to be global and translated into several languages, that\u2019s a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dad Terrance Daniels said Jeremiah\u2019s success really hit him as his son has begun getting recognized by strangers in public.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recall being out one afternoon at one of the local festivals and seeing a young lady point Jeremiah out,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople saying, \u2018Hey, I\u2019ve seen your interview\u2019 and saying that they\u2019re so excited for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jeremiah
Jeremiah Daniels of Aurora stars as a boy with Down syndrome in the film, \u201cColor Book.\u201d (Courtesy of Nikolaus Summerer)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Despite the attention, his parents say Jeremiah remains grounded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very humble and he\u2019s excited about the movie,\u201d Joi said. \u201cHe\u2019s happy, he\u2019s thankful, but he doesn\u2019t have a big head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeremiah said acting continues to feel natural.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s pretty fun,\u201d he said, of his role portraying the character, Mason.<\/p>\n

The Danielses said the film has also contributed to broader conversations about representation in the special-needs community, especially including families of color.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means that they\u2019re finally being seen and being heard, and it shows that times are changing,\u201d Joi said. \u201cI\u2019m just excited for the Down syndrome community in general to be seen and to be heard and to be celebrated.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat moment on the couch was an inspiring moment,\u201d he said. \u201cThe fact that we saw a child with Down syndrome in general represented on the screen was beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said being a part of this larger than life film experience with their son has reinforced a larger lesson: \u201cThat anything is possible,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s always shown us the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

The film\u2019s focus on the relationship between a father and son also reflects their real-life dynamic.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a level of patience that is required when parenting Jeremiah,\u201d Terrance said. \u201cThe care piece is very important.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeremiah expressed his admiration for his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love him so much,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s a great father.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeremiah and Terrance also spoke on a panel about self-advocacy at an international Down syndrome conference that was held in Denver.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m thankful for the research that they are doing to help prolong the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,\u201d Terrance said. \u201cIt would help to know that when I\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s 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\u2019t have any ideas,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

As for what comes next, Jeremiah said he has big plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to do acting, I\u2019m going to do basketball; do a little bit of everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cColor Book\u201d is now streaming on Netflix.<\/p>\n

To read more stories from Colorado Public Radio, visit www.cpr.org.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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