Peacock to Premiere Rosa Parks Doc

The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, a full-length documentary centered on the civil rights movement icon, is set for Peacock.

Produced by Soledad O’Brien’s SO’B Productions, The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks tells the unexpected story of Rosa Parks and her life beyond the historic bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. The doc reveals the intent behind her activism, her radical politics and the extent of her courage. It is slated to bow on Peacock in 2022.

The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks will feature video footage, exclusive audio of Parks herself and a range of interview subjects, including activists, celebrities and Parks’ family. Based on the New York Times best-selling biography The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis, it is directed by Yoruba Richen and Johanna Hamilton.

Rachel Smith, executive VP of unscripted development, documentary and lifestyle at NBC Universal Streaming & Cable, said: “I’m thrilled to bolster Peacock’s growing documentary slate with premium content like the story of Rosa Parks. This powerful film examines Rosa Parks’ life through a new lens and debunks many common myths. Get ready to see Rosa Parks like you’ve never seen her before.”

Richen and Hamilton said: “It’s rare to get beneath the surface of a celebrated American icon and find something even more impressive behind it. It is a story that elevates the work of the women who were the heartbeat of the civil rights struggle and has far greater lessons on how we might work for social justice today.”