Expanded Media & Docsville Studios link for Reverend Jesse Jackson exclusive

Jesse Jackson

UK- and US-based Expanded Media has linked up again with Lawrence Elman and Nick Fraser of Docsville Studios on a project that will tell the personal story of civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson.

The untitled show has secured exclusive access to the human rights advocate and his family, as well as 60 years of previously unseen family archive footage.

The show is being prepared as a feature film for theatrical release and a limited series, with Expanded Media and Docsville Studios coproducing. The two firms have worked together before on The Capote Tapes, as well as ITV duo 2020: The Story Of Us and It Takes A Flood.

Elman and William Keys will produce, with Expanded MD Francis Hopkinson and Ron Burkle exec producing for the prodco. Fraser and Simon Kilmurry are attached for Docsville Studios, and Yusef Jackson for The Jackson Foundation. The film is backed by The Yucaipa Companies, which is behind Expanded Media.

Nick Fraser

Details of the broadcaster/streamer for the limited series have not been revealed but the project will be directed by Shola Lynch (Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed) and will explore the two-time Democratic presidential candidate’s life from his birth in 1941 in the segregated Greenville, South Carolina.

Yusef D Jackson said: “On behalf of my entire family and especially my father, Rev Jesse Jackson, Sr, we are humbled and honoured to partner with Expanded Media and Docsville Studios to help tell the story of his life and legacy, now 80 years in the making.

“Even after living most of his life in the public eye, there is so much of my father’s story and the work that he’s done to progress civil rights, social justice, public service, and democracy around the world that is not widely known. We’re honoured to finally have the opportunity to authentically share his story, our family’s story, and how we fit into the landscape of our country’s biggest struggles and brightest victories over the last several decades.”

Hopkinson added: “This film not only tells the story of the man, in his own words, but explores the personal backdrop of what his trailblazing meant for his family. That’s why it is such a unique and special film.”

Expanded Media was founded in 2018 and is financed by The Yucaipa Companies. It is affiliated non-exclusively to Independent Talent Group in the UK and Management firm LBI Entertainment in the US.

Docsville Studios was created following the launch of Fraser and Elman’s factual streamer Docsville (fka Yaddo) in 2016 . The streamer side of the operation was acquired by Hong Kong-based distribution and multi-channel operator Lightning International last year.