Stevie Wonder to Executive Produce NBC TV Mini-Series ‘Freedom Run’ and Write Adaptation for a Broadway Musical

Music icon and multi-award winning singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder will be serving as an executive producer in NBC's upcoming epic eight-hour miniseries titled Freedom Run. B. Swibel, Adam Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the screenplay for miniseries and also join Wonder as executive producers, along with Tara Smith and Brian LaRoda.

Freedom Run is an adaptation from author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Betty DeRamus' acclaimed 2005 book "Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad," a collection of gritty, largely untold true love stories about ordinary men and women, slave and free, black and white, who risked everything to be together, fighting for love in a time of hate. The true story of their astounding escapes simultaneously contributed to, characterized and helped create what would come to be known as the "Underground Railroad," a heroic rebellion movement of epic proportions.

The upcoming miniseries itself will however limit its focus on three specific epic journeys and love stories, but each based on actual people who lived during the period. Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment, in a statement said: "These unforgettable moments in history, which have never been told on television before, are both incredibly painful and heartwarming and need to be presented to the world. We're honored to be adapting this emotionally affecting book in a television event."

Aside from the miniseries, NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt also announced that Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad also will be developed into a Broadway musical, which Stevie Wonder will reportedly write. In a statement, Greenblatt said: "We're increasingly looking for projects that qualify as television events and these harrowing true stories of courageous young men and women who found love, in spite of the heinousness of slavery, certainly does that. Furthermore, the idea of also developing this into a Broadway musical with Stevie Wonder is very exciting as we look to expand the scope of our live stage business. We're thrilled that these producers wanted to bring this important project to us."