Amazon Preps Premiere of American Girl Special

SEATTLE: Amazon is due to debut An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win, the first of four original live-action American Girl specials for Prime Video, later this month.

An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win centers on a 10-year-old girl who becomes aware of the racial inequality around her and decides to stand up for what she believes in. It stars Marsai Martin (Black-ish) alongside Frances Fisher (Titanic), Frankie Faison (The Wire) and Idara Victor (TURN: Washington’s Spies). The first Amazon original special for Prime Video will become available on October 21 in the U.S. and U.K.

An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win is executive produced by Alison McDonald (Roots), Common’s Freedom Road Productions, and Christopher Keenan and Melinda McCrocklin for American Girl. It is directed and produced by Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned).

“The American Girl Melody special is an empowering and inspiring story that will quickly become a favorite for young girls, while bringing families together to help start a healthy dialogue,” said Tara Sorensen, the head of kids’ programming at Amazon Studios. “Although our special is historical, the themes presented are sadly very timely and relevant for the world to which kids today are exposed.”

Amazon and American Girl have also teamed up to create a destination for a variety of Melody products, available at www.amazon.com/americangirl. “We are always looking for new ways to bring our great content to life both on and off the screen,” added Eva Lorenz, Amazon’s category leader for toys. “From toys to books to crafts, Melody’s biggest fans can now discover and shop a wide selection of items available with free two-day shipping for Prime members.”