ABC is developing an anthology series based around historical women of the civil rights movement, ABC entertainment president Karey Burke said Monday during the Television Critics Association press tour.
The series, titled “Women of the Movement,” is a chronology of the civil rights movement as told from a black woman’s point of view, with the first season centered on Mamie Till, who devoted her life to seeking justice in her son Emmett’s name following his murder in the Jim Crow South.
The first season will be based on the book, “Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement,” by Devery S. Anderson. During her executive session, Burke added that the network is eyeing a potential second season to focus on Rosa Parks.
“Women of the Movement” is being written by Marissa Jo Cerar (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “13 Reasons Why” and “The Fosters”) and executive produced by Jay-Z, Jay Brown, Tyran “Ty Ty” Smith (Roc Nation); Will Smith and James Lassiter (Overbrook Entertainment); along with Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor from Kapital Entertainment.
The anthology series is produced by Kapital Entertainment.
Burke also announced during her executive session Monday a renewal for “The Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise,” and the development of a limited series based on Mitchell Zuckoff’s “Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11.” ABC is also planning a live musical (with puppets) version of “The Little Mermaid” for November.