National Geographic released the trailer from the upcoming eight-part limited series “A Small Light,” produced by ABC Signature and Keshet Studios. It will have a multi-network launch on May 1 at 9 p.m. EST with a simulcast across National Geographic, National Geographic Wild (Nat Geo WILD) and Lifetime for the first two episodes. On Saturday, May 6 at 8 p.m. EST, Freeform will encore the premiere episodes.
For the full series run, two episodes will debut every Monday at 9 p.m. EST on National Geographic, stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu, and be available on the Nat Geo TV and ABC apps.
Based on an inspiring true story, Miep Gies (Bel Powley) was young and carefree (and opinionated) when Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber) asked her to help hide his family from the Nazis during World War II. Without hesitation, she agreed. For the next two years, she and her husband Jan (Joe Cole), along with several other everyday heroes, watched over the Frank, van Pels and Pfeffer families hiding in the secret annex.
“When we first heard the remarkable story of Miep Gies, we were gripped and deeply moved,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president of global scripted content and documentary films for National Geographic. “We were also convinced that this limited series about an everyday superhero—one that most people around the world have never heard of—needed an unprecedented rollout.”
Bernstein added that “we are determined to bring ‘A Small Light’ to the largest global audience possible, and hope that this ambitious rollout across multiple networks and streaming platforms allows audiences to fall in love with and be inspired by Miep, just as we have.”
Told with a modern sensibility, the show shakes off the cobwebs of history and makes the story feel relevant. It also asks audiences to grapple with what they would have done in her shoes and how much courage they have in standing up to contemporary hatred. The issue is patently straightforward: Some stood by, while Miep Gies stood up.
