Nat Geo has recently announced the premiere of its upcoming limited series ‘A Small Light’ which is set to air on their network in the coming weeks. This highly anticipated series is based on the life of Anne Frank, but with a unique perspective, as it is told from the perspective of one of the helpers in hiding for the Frank family, Miep Gies.
Nat Geo will be the first to premiere “A Small Light,” a limited docu-series produced by ABC Signature and Keshet Studios. The show will premiere on May 1 at 9/8c, with the first two episodes airing simultaneously on National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, and Lifetime.
Subsequently, two episodes will be shown every Monday at 9/8c on National Geographic, followed by next-day streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. For those outside the US, here’s how you can watch the series on Hulu. Additionally, Freeform will broadcast the same episodes on May 6 at 8 pm.
National Geographic took to Twitter to release the trailer of their forthcoming series, which showcases the remarkable true story of Miep Gies, a brave young secretary hired by Otto Frank. She and a few others risked their lives to help the Frank family stay in hiding for two years during WWII. Along with the trailer, Nat Geo also announced the release dates of the series.
#ASmallLight portrays the remarkable true story of Miep Gies, the brave young woman who risked everything to shelter the Frank family for two years during WWII.
The eight-part limited series premieres May 1 on National Geographic and streams May 2 on #DisneyPlus and @hulu pic.twitter.com/sxg4IIchPB
— National Geographic (@NatGeo) April 4, 2023
The series unveils the real-life story of Miep Gies, a Dutch woman who, along with her husband Jan (Gangs of London‘s Joe Cole), overlooked the sheltered family of Anne Frank during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. It will showcase Miep’s heroic story as she risks everything to hide the Franks, the Pels and Fritz Pfeffer.
The trailer reveals the darkest days of Miep’s life, during the war, where she and Jan face increasing desperation under Nazi occupation. When Otto Frank, Anne’s father, asks for their help in hiding his family from the holocaust, Miep agrees without hesitation.
Despite the danger, Miep and Jan successfully hid the Franks and four others for two years, until they were betrayed and taken to various concentration camps. Though only Otto Frank survived, Miep had saved many of their possessions, including Anne’s diary.
Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president of scripted and documentary films at National Geographic, said, “We are determined to bring ‘A Small Light’ to the largest global audience possible and hope this ambitious rollout across multiple networks and streaming platforms allows audiences to fall in love with and be inspired by Miep just as we have. ”
The title of the series is inspired by something Miep said in her later life: “I don’t like being called a hero because no one should ever think you have to be special to help others. Even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can turn on a small light in a dark room. ”
A Small Light is told with a modern sensibility, making Miep’s story feel relevant and thought-provoking. The series aims to inspire audiences to ask themselves what they would have done in Miep’s shoes and whether they would have the courage to stand up to the hatred. It promises to shake the cobwebs off history and make Miep’s story feel relevant today.
Would you like to know more about the real-life events that took place during Miep Gies’s encounter in WWII? Please let us know!
The upcoming docu-series features a star-studded cast, including Bel Powley as Miep and Liev Schreiber as Otto Frank. Bringing the story to life, Amira Casar portrays Edith Frank, mother of Margot and Anne. Billie Boullet portrays Anne Frank, the young girl whose diary would later become a worldwide sensation. Ashley Brooke portrays Margot Frank, Anne’s older sister.
Moreover, the van Pels, who also hid with the Franks, are played by Andy Nyman, Caroline Catz, and Rudi Goodman. Noah Taylor portrays Dr. Fritz Pfeffer, the eighth person to share the annex with the Franks.
Other notable cast members include Eleanor Tomlinson as Miep’s best friend Tess, Sally Messham, Ian McElhinney, and Nicholas Burns as Miep’s coworkers. Liza Sadovy portrays Mrs. Stoppelman, while Laurie Kynaston and Sebastian Armesto play Casmir and Max Stoppelman, respectively.
Each actor contributes to the powerful storytelling of “A Small Light,” which sheds light on the incredible courage and sacrifice of Miep Gies and those who risked everything to help others during the darkest days of World War II.
The limited series aims to uncover a new perspective of Anne Frank’s story and raise awareness of the Holocaust’s atrocities. The show promises to be a moving and captivating portrayal of one of the darkest moments in human history. It is highly recommended for anyone seeking to gain deeper insights into Anne Frank’s life and the selfless sacrifices made by those who helped her family during that period.
