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Telenovela and Freedom Run - Comedy and Miniseries Ordered by NBC

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STORIES OF COURAGE AND LOVE FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD COME TO NBC FOR 8-HOUR EPIC MINISERIES ‘FREEDOM RUN’

Stevie Wonder on Board as Executive Producer as Project Also Headed to Broadway as Stage Production

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Jan. 16, 2015 — NBC is bringing both the heartbreaking and uplifting stories during one of America’s most tumultuous periods to television in adapting author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Betty DeRamus’ acclaimed book “Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad” as an epic eight-hour miniseries titled “Freedom Run.” It will focus on three specific epic journeys and love stories, each based on actual people.

Iconic musician Stevie Wonder, who has won 25 Grammy Awards, recorded 30 Top 10 hits, is an Oscar winner and a member of both the Rock ‘n’ Roll and Songwriters Hall of Fame, will serve as an executive producer.

B. Swibel, Adam Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the miniseries and serve as executive producers. Tara Smith and Brian LaRoda will also executive produce.

In addition, “Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad” is in development as a stage musical from Broadway producer Tara Smith’s Triptyk Studios, Brian LaRoda and Universal Stage Productions, with Wonder attached to provide the score. Swibel, Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the book. Universal Stage Productions currently produces the cultural phenomenon “Wicked” and the 10-time Tony Award-winning “Billy Elliot.”

The book “Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad” depicts one of the greatest mass escapes in recorded history through a collection of gritty, largely untold true love stories about ordinary men and women, slave and free, black and white, who risked everything to be together, fighting for love in a time of hate. Their astounding escapes simultaneously contributed to, characterized and helped create what would come to be known as the Underground Railroad, a heroic rebellion of epic proportions.

DeRamus’ exhaustive research is based on a myriad of previously untapped sources, including anecdotes from descendants of runaway slave couples, unpublished memoirs, court records and civil war records.

“We’re increasingly looking for projects that qualify as television events and these harrowing true stories of courageous young men and women who found love, in spite of the heinousness of slavery, certainly does that,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. “Furthermore, the idea of also developing this into a Broadway musical with Stevie Wonder is very exciting as we look to expand the scope of our live stage business. We’re thrilled that these producers wanted to bring this important project to us.”

“These Unforgettable moments in history, which have never been told on television before, are both incredibly painful and heartwarming and need to be presented to the world,” said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. “We’re honored to be adapting this emotionally affecting book in a television event.”

DeRamus was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in commentary for columns about the Los Angeles riots. She was among the handful of print journalists who watched Nelson Mandela walk out of prison in 1990 for which she was honored by the National Assn. of Black Journalists for her coverage. She is the author of two non-fiction books, “Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad” and “Freedom by Any Means.”

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EVA LONGORIA’S COMEDY SERIES ‘TELENOVELA’ GETS LUZ VERDE FROM NBC

Internationally Acclaimed Actress Toplines 13-Episode Series Order

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Jan. 16, 2015 — In her return to a starring role on primetime television, NBC is teaming with SAG Award winner and multi-nominee Eva Longoria on the half-hour comedy series “Telenovela.”

NBC has ordered 13 episodes of the singlecam comedy that will star and be executive produced by Longoria. From Universal Television and Unbelievable Entertainment, “Telenovela” captures the hilarious behind-the-scenes craziness of a popular Spanish telenovela.

Longoria will play the willful but popular diva Ana Maria, star of Latin America's most beloved telenovela who strives to stay on top in a world where the drama on-camera is nothing compared to the drama off-camera.

“There are few actresses with as much international appeal as Eva Longoria,” said Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. “She is a perfect fit for ‘Telenovela.’ Her character will try to navigate the hysteria and high jinks that everyone must endure in putting together a Daily Show.”

Added Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment: “We love our producing relationship with Eva and we’re so thrilled she wants to step back in front of the camera to show off her comedic side on this show. In a world where telenovelas are so popular on Spanish-speaking television as the Latino audience continues to grow everywhere, we think this show is very much of the moment.”

Longoria is best known for her role in the long-running ABC series “Desperate Housewives” in which she played Gabrielle Solis. During the show’s eight-season run, Longoria won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and was nominated for a Golden Globe. She also won two Alma Awards and a People’s Choice Award.

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