We're Obsessed with the Amazing Cast of Dustin Lance Black's Gay Rights Miniseries

ABC and the team behind Milk are bringing us what will likely be the miniseries event of the year, and now that its spectacular cast has been announced we can't wait to tune in more than ever. According to Variety, When We Rise - which will be presented in seven episodes - "chronicles the personal and political struggles, setbacks and triumphs of a diverse family of LGBT men and women who helped pioneer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights movement from its turbulent infancy in the 20th century to the once unfathomable successes of today." The series will reunite Milk's openly gay Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and director Gus Van Sant, who will direct the series' two hour premiere. Additionally, the duo is executive producing with Milk producer Bruce Cohen, Laurence Mark, and ABC Studios.

Now prepare yourselves for an amazing cast of actors starring as some LGBT history's greatest players. Guy Pearce will play LGBT activist Cleve Jones, a friend of Harvey Milk who founded the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and led the 2009 National March for Equality. Mary-Louise Parker will star as women's rights leader Roma Guy, who co-founded the San Francisco Women's Building with her wife Diane, an HIV/AIDS nurse and activist who will be played by Rachel Griffiths. Fun Home's Emily Skeggs and The Master's Fiona Dourif will co-star as Young Roma and Diane respectively. Spring Awakening's Austin McKenzie will play young Cleve and Jonathan Majors will play young Ken Jones.  

Dustin Lance Black has been an incredibly vocal activist in the LGBT community, and we're confident When We Rise is in the right hands. Said Black in a statement: “It’s been the honor of my life to research and craft these stories of family, diversity and equality over the past three years. To have collaborators of this caliber sign on to help bring these stories to life is a tremendous vote of confidence, and I hope a testament to the relevancy and necessity of our continued march toward justice for all.” 

This is sure to be one powerful piece, and we can't wait to watch.