Discovery Channel and Lionsgate are working on the cable network's next mini-series, North and South. Based on the trilogy of novels written by John Jakes in the 1980s, North and South is set in the era of the Civil War and focuses on the friendship between two friends as they fight on opposing sides. Orry Main of South Carolina and George Hazard of Pennsylvania become best friends while attending the United States Military Academy at West Point prior to the Civil War. The Main family, northern factory owners, and the Hazard family, southern plantation owners, soon find themselves on opposing sides during the war and living with the repercussions after it ends. The stark differences between the two families in regards to slavery fuels the tension and ensuing battle between the Confederacy and the Union.
This wouldn't be the first time North and South has been adapted into a television production. Today's news arrives almost 30 years after ABC originally aired the first part of the trilogy in 1985. The follow-up sequel, Book II, was released a year after in 1986 and the final part, Book III, aired in 1994.
Multi-evening mini-series events were huge ratings winners for broadcast networks in the 1970s and 1980s. After the reception and critical acclaim that Roots received for its production, networks clamored at assembling mega events featuring film and television's biggest names at the time, as well as spotlighting rising Hollywood stars. Patrick Swayze was cast in the lead role of Orry Main, while Kirstie Alley took on the role of outspoken abolitionist Virgilia Hazard. For Swayze, North and South was his first major success and placed him on the map for his future film role in Dirty Dancing.
Numerous Hollywood screen legends also participated in the expanse production including Elizabeth Taylor, Robert Mitchum, Gene Kelly, Jean Simmons, Jimmy Stewart, Lloyd Bridges, Johnny Cash, Olivia de Havilland, David Carradine, and Peter O'Toole.
The events of North and South occurred from 1842-1866 and each episode was dedicated to specific period of time, as it related to the events of the Civil War. Due to the stellar writing, acting, and production values, the mini-series received many award nominations and was awarded an Emmy for its costuming. The trilogy was released as a complete collection on DVD in 2004. The mini-series also recently aired on Starz.
As a Throwback Thursday treat to the news of a new version, we have provided a snippet from the first episode of Book I.
Keep it locked to Stay Tuned for future updates on anything and everything television.
No comments:
Post a Comment