or


[01/16/15 - 09:12 AM]
Stories of Courage and Love from the Underground Railroad Come to NBC for 8-Hour Epic Miniseries "Freedom Run"
Iconic musician Stevie Wonder, who has won 25 Grammy Awards, recorded 30 Top 10 hits, is an Oscar winner and a member of both the Rock 'n' Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame, will serve as an executive producer.

[via press release from NBC]

STORIES OF COURAGE AND LOVE FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD COME TO NBC FOR 8-HOUR EPIC MINISERIES "FREEDOM RUN"

Stevie Wonder on Board as Executive Producer as Project Also Headed to Broadway as Stage Production

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Jan. 16, 2015 - NBC is bringing both the heartbreaking and uplifting stories during one of America's most tumultuous periods to television in adapting author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Betty DeRamus' acclaimed book "Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad" as an epic eight-hour miniseries titled "Freedom Run." It will focus on three specific epic journeys and love stories, each based on actual people.

Iconic musician Stevie Wonder, who has won 25 Grammy Awards, recorded 30 Top 10 hits, is an Oscar winner and a member of both the Rock 'n' Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame, will serve as an executive producer.

B. Swibel, Adam Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the miniseries and serve as executive producers. Tara Smith and Brian LaRoda will also executive produce.

In addition, "Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad" is in development as a stage musical from Broadway producer Tara Smith's Triptyk Studios, Brian LaRoda and Universal Stage Productions, with Wonder attached to provide the score. Swibel, Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the book. Universal Stage Productions currently produces the cultural phenomenon "Wicked" and the 10-time Tony Award-winning "Billy Elliot."

The book "Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad" depicts one of the greatest mass escapes in recorded history through a collection of gritty, largely untold true love stories about ordinary men and women, slave and free, black and white, who risked everything to be together, fighting for love in a time of hate. Their astounding escapes simultaneously contributed to, characterized and helped create what would come to be known as the Underground Railroad, a heroic rebellion of epic proportions.

DeRamus' exhaustive research is based on a myriad of previously untapped sources, including anecdotes from descendants of runaway slave couples, unpublished memoirs, court records and civil war records.

"We're increasingly looking for projects that qualify as television events and these harrowing true stories of courageous young men and women who found love, in spite of the heinousness of slavery, certainly does that," said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. "Furthermore, the idea of also developing this into a Broadway musical with Stevie Wonder is very exciting as we look to expand the scope of our live stage business. We're thrilled that these producers wanted to bring this important project to us."

"These unforgettable moments in history, which have never been told on television before, are both incredibly painful and heartwarming and need to be presented to the world," said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. "We're honored to be adapting this emotionally affecting book in a television event."

DeRamus was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in commentary for columns about the Los Angeles riots. She was among the handful of print journalists who watched Nelson Mandela walk out of prison in 1990 for which she was honored by the National Assn. of Black Journalists for her coverage. She is the author of two non-fiction books, "Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad" and "Freedom by Any Means."





  [january 2015]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· FREEDOM RUN (NBC)





[11/22/24 - 01:31 PM]
Video: "Suits LA" Arrives February 2025 - NBC
The all-new spinoff of the beloved legal drama, starring Stephen Amell, Lex Scott Davis, Josh McDermitt, and Bryan Greenberg, lands on the West Coast.

[11/22/24 - 12:11 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases First Look at the Third Season of Emmy Award-Winning Reality Competition Series "The Traitors" Returning January 9 with Alan Cumming as Host
Last season, "The Traitors" became the #1 unscripted series in the U.S. across all streaming platforms during launch week, according to Nielsen.

[11/22/24 - 10:15 AM]
Apple's Drama "Your Friends & Neighbors" Lands Early Season Two Renewal
Starring and executive produced by Emmy Award winner Jon Hamm, "Your Friends & Neighbors" will premiere globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, April 11 with two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Friday, May 30.

[11/22/24 - 09:01 AM]
Apple Original Films' "Fly Me to the Moon" to Premiere December 6, 2024
Since its debut in theaters worldwide, the film has received the Verified Hot certification on Rotten Tomatoes by fans.

[11/22/24 - 08:03 AM]
Peacock Exclusively Streams Blumhouse's "Speak No Evil" Beginning December 6
The psychological horror thriller stars James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough, Scoot McNairy, and more!

[11/22/24 - 07:35 AM]
2024 "Emirates NBA Cup" Championship Game Exclusively on ABC and ESPN+ December 17
In addition, ESPN platforms will exclusively present a semifinal game and a quarterfinal game as part of its 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Round coverage.

[11/22/24 - 07:12 AM]
Peacock and Sky's Original Hit Drama Series "The Day of the Jackal" Scores Second Season Renewal
In the US it ranked #1 on Peacock's Top 10 TV Shows on its platform and was a Top 5 streaming original in the US for its opening weekend (according to preliminary Nielsen data).

[11/22/24 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "Chef's Table" Volume 7 - Official Teaser - Netflix
Meet five world-class chefs who redefine culinary boundaries with delicious, innovative dishes honoring their diverse cultures and personal philosophies.

[11/22/24 - 05:41 AM]
"They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce" Set for January 2025 on ESPN
Airing on Friday nights/early Saturday mornings, the new personality-driven, one-hour program will take its inspiration from traditional late-night television, emphasizing a comedic approach throughout all five scheduled episodes which run in conjunction with the finale of the NFL regular season and playoffs.

[11/22/24 - 03:01 AM]
Video: "Ad Vitam" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After escaping an attempted murder, Franck Lazarev (Guillaume Canet) must find his wife Léo, who has been kidnapped by a mysterious group of armed men.

[11/21/24 - 04:01 PM]
"Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die" Premieres December 10: A Battle for Supremacy Begins
In the shadows of Korea's rugby world, seven teams engage in a fierce battle of strength, strategy, and teamwork - all vying to be crowned champion.

[11/21/24 - 04:00 PM]
ABC Presents a Two-Night Special Event To Commemorate the Diamond Anniversary of "Mary Poppins"
First, "The Untold Story of Mary Poppins: A Special Edition of 20/20," a two-hour special from ABC News Studios chock full of rarely seen footage, photos and stories from the film's living legends, airs Wednesday, November 27 on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Disney+.

[11/21/24 - 01:32 PM]
2024 International Emmy Nominees on Hulu
Check out these Emmy-worthy international series streaming on Hulu.

[11/21/24 - 01:12 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Semifinals Is Top Program of the Night in Adults 18-49 and All Key Women Demographics
The spectacular season 33 penultimate episode grew over the previous week's 500th episode celebration in both Total Viewers (5.19 million vs. 5.13 million) and Adults 18-49 (0.75 rating vs. 0.71 rating), hitting a season high in Total Viewers.

[11/21/24 - 01:05 PM]
NBC Orders Five Additional Episodes of Its Friday Night Comedy Hit "Happy's Place"
The "Happy's Place" premiere has hit 14 million viewers across all platforms.