ABC orders civil rights limited series Women of the Movement: Season 1 will focus on Emmett Till's mom

The Hollywood Reporter

The six-episode series focusing on the women of the Civil Rights Movement will debut in 2021 with a focus on Mamie Till Mobley, who devoted her life to seeking justice after her 14-year-old son Emmett Till was murdered in the Jim Crow South. The pickup comes on the 65th anniversary of Till's death and the 57th anniversary on the March on Washington. Marissa Jo Cerar created the series, with The Old Guard director Gina Prince-Bythewood set to direct the first episode. Will Smith and Jay-Z are also on board as executive producers. "I am thrilled to bring this project to television," said Cerar. "It is unfortunately very timely, and my hope is to give the audience a chance to learn who Emmett Till really was — the boy, rather than the victim or the martyr — while also showcasing Mamie’s astonishing strength in the face of a mother’s worst nightmare. Telling Emmett and Mamie's story is a responsibility I have not taken lightly since I began this journey last year, because this is more than a tragedy; it's a story about a mother's unwavering love of her son and her commitment to bettering the lives of all Black people. I can't wait to start filming. With the brilliant Gina Prince-Bythewood as our director, we could not be in better hands."