Airdate: When We Rise

SBS has confirmed today that gay civil rights drama When We Rise, written by Dustin Lance Black (Milk) will be fast-tracked to SBS On Demand from March 1st, a day after its US debut.

The 4 x 2 hour drama features a marquee cast including Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths, Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell & Mary Louise Parker.

Directed by Gus Van Sant (eps 1 & 2), it will screen as part of SBS’s 2017 Mardi Gras season.

The miniseries chronicles the real-life personal and political struggles, set-backs and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer the gay rights movement.

The ABC Studios’ dramatic 4 x 2 hour event series features two of Australia’s most prominent actors, Guy Pearce (Jack Irish, Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of Desert) as LGBT activist Cleve Jones and Rachel Griffins (Brothers & Sisters, Muriel’s Wedding) who stars as social justice activist, Diane.

The highly anticipated mini-series also features, Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds, Angels in America) as women’s rights leader Roma Guy, Michael Kenneth Williams (Boardwalk Empire, The Wire) as African-American community organizer Ken Jones and Ivory Aquino as transgender-activist Cecilia Chung. Guest cast includes Rosie O’Donnell (A League of Their Own), Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost, Sister Act), Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tuck), David Hyde Pierce (Frasier) and Kevin McHale (Glee).

When We Rise is executive produced by 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.

March 1st on SBS On Demand followed by a TV premiere on Saturday 11 March at 8.30pm on SBS.