'A Small Light' Tells the Anne Frank Story You May Not Know

Anne Frank is often the main character in films, books and cultural conversations about her time spent hiding from the Nazis—and rightfully so. But what about the figures who played pivotal background roles in the young girl's story? Enter A Small Light, a new, eight-part miniseries from National Geographic that brings to the forefront Miep Gies, the Dutch citizen who hid the Frank family (and four others) for two years during World War II.

"She famously didn't want to have all this attention on her," co-creator Joan Rater told Screenrant. "[She] hated being called a hero. She would say, 'I did what anyone would do.' What we felt is that the truth is not anyone would do it, because not everyone did do it. We were like, 'Why did she say yes? Who is this person?'"

Ahead of A Small Light's May 1 premiere, here's all you need to know about the must-watch television event.

Related: See the Duchess of Cambridge’s ‘Deeply Personal’ Portraits of Holocaust Survivors, Which Were Inspired by Anne Frank

Is A Small Light based on a true story?

Yes. A Small Light is based on the true story of Miep Gies (Bel Powley), a woman who risked her own life to protect others, including the Frank family, from the Nazis during World War II.

Her boss, Otto Frank, approached her about hiding his family—including Anne, his wife, Edith Frank, and his eldest daughter, Margot Frank—after they lost their chance to escape the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. Gies eventually found and preserved Anne's diaries, which became the bestselling book The Diary of Anne Frank.

“It’s a very heavy and important part of history, and it was very important that we got it right to allow people to really connect and relate to this story," Powley said in an interview with Deadline.

"One thing I had to always remind myself of is that she never wanted to be called a hero. She never wanted to be put on a pedestal. Her mantra for the rest of her life after the war is the title of the show; it’s actually based on a famous quote that she would say over and over again...she would say anyone, a housewife or a teenager, can turn on a small light in a dark room."

The miniseries also explores Gies's relationship with her husband, Jan Gies, and how their work impacted their marriage.

Related: 65 of the Best Movies Based on True Stories

Who is cast in A Small Light?

Bel Powley (Miep Gies)

Born and raised in London, Bel Powley is best known for her role in M.I. High (2007-08). She most recently starred in the lead role of Birdy in the seven-part British comedy-drama series Everything I Know About Love (2022).

"I’m Jewish myself, and this offer actually came in on Holocaust Memorial Day, which felt really special," Bowley said of her latest role. "So before I even had read the pilot, I knew that this subject matter was something that I felt personally connected to, but I knew nothing about Miep Gies. And as I read up more on her and read Tony [Phelan] and Joan [Rater’s] incredible script, I was just kind of astounded at this woman who I feel like is very relatable and who has done these incredibly brave things."

Liev Schreiber as Otto Frank

Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber assumes the role of Otto Frank. Miep Gies was Frank's secretary when he asked her if he could hide his family from the Nazis during World War II.

Joe Cole as Jan Gies

Joe Cole (Skins, Peaky Binders) will play Jan, Miep's husband, who helped her hide the Frank family and others.

Amira Casar as Edith Frank

Amira Casar, a British-born actress with a TV and film career that spans three decades, will appear as Edith Frank. Edith was Otto's wife and the mother of Margot and Anne.

Billie Boullet as Anne Frank

Relative newcomer Billie Boullett takes on the role of Anne Frank. "I wanted to get Anne right," she said in an interview with Screenrant. "There's been so many portrayals of her [where] it's their versions of Anne. I really wanted it to be truthful to her diary, and her fieriness, and her strong will, and her opinions. She was a real teenage girl; she had bite to her."

Ashley Brooke as Margot Frank

Ashley Brooke, who's shared that her grandmother is a Holocaust survivor, will play Margot Frank, Anne's older sister.

"I didn't know Anne had a sister before this project, and I've also had Anne's diary in my room since such a young age, so I was really surprised by that," she told Screenrant. "Once I started diving deep into the research, I tried to take into account that everything that I was reading was people's perspectives of Margot, and Margot actually had her own diary."

What is the A Small Light release date?

A Small Light will premiere on National Geographic on May 1. The following day, viewers can stream the first two episodes on Disney+ and Hulu.

How many episodes are in A Small Light?

The series includes eight episodes. It will premiere with a two-episode drop on May 1, then release two episodes a week until May 22, when the penultimate and series finale drop. Each episode will debut on National Geographic and be streamable the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

How to watch A Small Light

A Small Light, which is based on the true story of Miep Gies, who helped hide the Frank family from the Nazis, will drop two episodes per week on National Geographic beginning May 1. The final two episodes of the eight-part miniseries are set for May 22. Each episode will be available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ the day after they air.

Is there a trailer for A Small Light?

Yes. National Geographic released an official trailer in April, setting the stage for a gripping eight-part series.

"Miep, what I am asking you to do is dangerous," Otto Frank says. "If you get caught, you could get arrested or even worse."

Next, 15 Moving Movies and TV Shows About The Holocaust