ABC is shifting things around. This week, the network announced they are changing the air dates for their upcoming seven-part LGBTQ historical miniseries When We Rise.
From Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black, the drama “charts the rise of the fight for LGBT rights in the U.S., beginning in 1971 through the contemporary push for marriage equality.” The cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Mary Louise Parker, Rosie O’Donnell, Guy Pearce, and Rachel Griffiths.
When We Rise will premiere on February 27th, but the show will skip February 28th for a planned broadcast of President Donald Trump’s Address to Congress. The miniseries will then continue on March 1st through March 3rd.
This miniseries from Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black was recently awarded the Audience Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
“When We Rise” chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles, set-backs and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women, who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today.
Starring in the miniseries are Guy Pearce (“Memento,” “L.A. Confidential”) as LGBT activist Cleve Jones, Mary-Louise Parker (“Weeds,” “Angels in America”) as women’s rights leader Roma Guy, Rachel Griffiths (“Brothers and Sisters,” “Six Feet Under”) as her wife, social justice activist Diane, Michael K. Williams (“Boardwalk Empire,””The Wire”) as African American community organizer Ken Jones and Ivory Aquino as transgender activist Cecelia Chung.
Joining them are Austin McKenzie (“Spring Awakening”) as Younger Cleve Jones, Emily Skeggs (“Fun Home”) as Younger Roma Guy, newcomer Jonathan Majors as Younger Ken Jones, and Fiona Dourif (“The Master”) as Younger Diane.
“When We Rise” is executive produced by the Dustin Lance Black (“Milk,” “Big Love,” “J. Edgar”), Gus Van Sant (“Milk,” “Elephant,” “Good Will Hunting”) Laurence Mark (“Julie & Julia,””Dreamgirls,””I, Robot,” “Jerry Maguire”), and Bruce Cohen (“American Beauty,” “Milk,” “Silver Linings Playbook”).
Van Sant directs the two-hour premiere of the eight-hour mini-series event. “When We Rise” is produced by ABC Studios.”
