TV
When We Rise (ABC 2017, Guy Pearce, Mary-Louise Parker)
Limited series When We Rise is written and created by Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. It 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 mini-series 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 Cecilia 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.
cast
Guy Pearce as Cleve Jones
Mary-Louise Parker as Roma Guy
Austin McKenzie as Younger Cleve Jones
Carrie Preston as Sally Gearheart
David Hyde Pierce as Dr. Jones
Denis O’Hare as Jim Foster
Dylan Walsh as Marcus Conant
Emily Skeggs as Younger Roma Guy
Fiona Dourif as Younger Diane
Ivory Aquino as Cecilia Chung
Jonathan Majors as Younger Ken Jones
Kevin McHale as Bobbi Campbell
Michael K. Williams as Ken Jones
Rachel Griffiths as Diane
Rafael de la Fuente as Ricardo
Rosie O’Donnell as Del Martin
Whoopi Goldberg as Pat Norman
key behind the scenes crew
Bruce Cohen as Executive Producer
Dee Rees as Director (Parts 3-4)
Dustin Lance Black as Creator/Executive Producer/Director (Parts 7-8)
Gus Van Sant as Executive Producer/Director (Parts 1-2)
Laurence Mark as Executive Producer
Thomas Schlamme as Director (Parts 5-6)
show type
drama
broadcast from
Premieres Monday, February 27
1 season with 8 episodes in total
network and production companies
ABC – ABC Studios