Oprah Winfrey to Adapt New York Times' 1619 Project for Film and TV
Oprah Winfrey, along with The New York Times and Lionsgate, is bringing the newspaper's 1619 Project to life on film and television screens.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, who helmed The 1619 Project's production when it debuted last summer, will be the creative lead for the upcoming series and films.
Oprah Winfrey is teaming up with The New York Times and Lionsgate to bring to life The 1619 Project, an ongoing initiative developed by the Times last year that reexamines the legacy of slavery in the United States, through a series of feature films, television shows, and more.
Variety reported the news of the upcoming collaboration yesterday, nearly a year after the Times debuted its massive project. Nikole Hannah-Jones, who produced the project, won a 2020 Pulitzer Prize for her work and will also act as the creative lead for the upcoming adaptions.
"From the first moment I read 'The 1619 Project' and immersed myself in Nikole Hannah-Jones's transformative work, I was moved, deepened and strengthened by her empowering historical analysis," said Winfrey in a statement about the original iteration of the project.
Hannah-Jones also issued a statement following the news of the collaboration, stating that she believes Winfrey and Lionsgate have the utmost intention of bringing the important stories to the masses in an honest and respectful manner.
"We took very seriously our duty to find TV and film partners that would respect and honor the work and mission of 'The 1619 Project,' that understood our vision and deep moral obligation to doing justice to these stories," said Hannah-Jones. "Through every step of the process, Lionsgate and its leadership have shown themselves to be that partner, and it is a dream to be able to produce this work with Ms. Oprah Winfrey, a trailblazer and beacon to so many Black journalists. I am excited for this opportunity to extend the breadth and reach of 'The 1619 Project' and to introduce these stories of Black resistance and resilience to even more American households."
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