Television is returning to the halls of high school with NBC’s newest television show Rise focusing on a teacher trying to breathe life into the school’s theatre department.
From Jason Katims, executive producer and showrunner of Friday Night Lights and Parenthood, and Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller comes a heartening new drama about finding inspiration in unexpected places. When dedicated teacher Lou Mazzuchelli (Josh Radnor) sheds his own self-doubt and takes over the school’s lackluster theatre department, he galvanises not only the faculty and students but the entire working-class town. The new series is inspired by a true story, which has been taken from the novel Drama High by Michael Sokolove.
While many may think it’s a Glee 2.0, it does feature musical numbers, however, it feels much deeper than the hit musical series.
The series has already caused some controversy even before it has hit our screens as the true story followed a high school teacher by the name of Lou Volpe who was a closeted married man who later came out as gay. Now in the series, Josh Radnor will portray Lou, however, he will be straight.
Naturally, people were outraged, but the producers of the series say there will still be LGTBQ+ storylines. Earlier this year, the executive producers put out a joint statement:
“We are firmly committed to LGBTQ inclusion, and most of all, are excited for the community to see Rise, which we believe portrays positive depictions of LGBTQ characters and stories on broadcast television with honesty and sensitivity. To that end, we worked with GLAAD on the show’s LGBTQ storylines to ensure they are told with respect and authenticity.”
Jason Katims elaborated on this at the Television Critics Association’s annual winter press tour as he stressed that Rise will not going to “shy away” from issues about sexuality. “I was inspired to tell the story of Michael, this transgender character, and Simon who’s dealing with his sexuality and growing up in a very conservative religious family,” Jason continued. “Those stories felt like they resonated with me as a storyteller, I wanted to lean into that.”
Josh Radnor also spoke about this change at the same tour:
“Well, I think that the source material that you’re talking about, Drama High and that teacher, Lou Volpe, was such an inspiration to me and to everybody doing the show. To see somebody who, as you said, spent 44 years dedicated to this program was amazing. And I really hope that there is a ‑‑ and believe that there is a ‑‑ that we carry a lot of his spirit into the show. We took it as an inspiration, and then I really felt like I needed to make it, you know, my own story. With Lou’s family life and Lou’s family itself, there’s a lot of reimagination. Not just in terms of gay or straight, but in terms of the family structure.”
Rise is created by Jason Katims, who serves as showrunner and executive producer. Jeffrey Seller, Flody Suarez and Michelle Lee also executive produce. Mike Cahill directs and executive produces the pilot. Rise is produced by Universal Television, True Jack Productions and Seller Suarez Productions.
The cast includes Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother), Rosie Perez (Pure), Auli”i Cravalho (Moana), Damon J. Gillespie, Marley Shelton (The Lottery), Rarmian Newton (The Family), Ted Sutherland, Amy Forsyth (Channel Zero), Casey Johnson (GLOW), Taylor Richardson, Joe Tippett and Shirley Rumierk.
The series premieres Tuesday, March 13th (U.S) at 10/9c on NBC. Rise will then move to its regular 9 PM time slot the following Tuesday, March 20.
