TV series
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 period piece tells the history of the gay rights movement, starting with the Stonewall Riots in 1969.
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Checked Jul 22, 2026
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 period piece tells the history of the gay rights movement, starting with the Stonewall Riots in 1969.
Cast, crew and production details
Austin P. McKenzieYoung Cleve Jones
Emily SkeggsYoung Roma Guy
Jonathan MajorsYoung Ken Jones
Fiona DourifYoung Diane Jones
Rachel GriffithsDiane Jones
Mary-Louise ParkerRoma Guy
Guy PearceCleve Jones
Michael Kenneth WilliamsKen Jones
ABCUnited States
ABC StudiosUnited StatesWatch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
Episode 1
A young peace activist escapes his repressive life in Phoenix and heads to San Francisco, hoping to find refuge and community, but finds that the struggle for survival is just as difficult as it was back home. Elsewhere, NOW purges lesbians from its ranks.
Directed by Gus Van SantWritten by Dustin Lance BlackGuest stars Adam DiMarco, Charlie Carver, Murry Peeters, Douglas Smith, Jesse Haddock, Kristina Hampton
Where to watch When We Rise
Episode 2
Ken, Cleve, and Roma fight an initiative that would ban gays from working in California public schools, while Cleve works on the campaign to elect Harvey Milk as San Francisco City Supervisor. But soon a disease starts killing gay men all over the country.
Directed by Dee ReesWritten by Dustin Lance Black, Dianne Houston, Lisa ZwerlingGuest stars Adam DiMarco, Walter Mack
Where to watch When We Rise
Episode 3
AIDS continues to ravage the gay community. Cleve creates the AIDS quilt in order to get the President's attention, while Diane's daughter Annie struggles with her identity as the child of a lesbian couple and a gay man.
Directed by Thomas SchlammeWritten by Peter Parnell, Derek SimondsGuest stars Charles Socarides, Daniel Arnold, Willam Belli, Balthazar Getty, Walter Mack, Douglas Smith
Where to watch When We Rise
Episode 4
An energized Cleve inspires a group of young activists to organize a march on Washington to demand full LGBTQ civil rights, while Roma uses her skills to reform healthcare in San Francisco. Elsewhere, a group forms to try overturning California's discriminatory proposition banning gay marriage.
Directed by Dustin Lance BlackWritten by Dustin Lance BlackGuest stars Charles Socarides, Douglas Smith, Jazzmun, Pauley Perrette
Where to watch When We RiseEpisode information updated Jul 22, 2026
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