The Good Lord Bird

The Good Lord Bird, an upcoming limited series from Blumhouse Television and Showtime that filmed in Virginia in 2019, will air on Showtime starting Sunday, October 4, 2020 at 9 PM ET.

The series is based on the eponymous novel from author James McBride, and stars Oscar®, Golden Globe® and Tony® nominee Ethan Hawke as 19th-century abolitionist John Brown. Hawke co-created and executive produced, alongside Virginia native Mark Richard (The Ice at the Bottom of the World and Hell on Wheels). McBride also executive produced.

Photo Credit: William Gray/SHOWTIME

The Good Lord Bird is told from the point of view of Onion, an enslaved teenager who becomes a member in Brown’s motley family during the time of Bleeding Kansas, eventually participating in the famous 1859 raid on the Army depot at Harpers Ferry. Brown’s raid failed to initiate the slave revolt he intended but is often cited as the instigating event that started the Civil War.

Photo Credit: William Gray/SHOWTIME

"Virginia is the perfect production home for The Good Lord Bird," Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold, co-presidents of Blumhouse Television, said. "The state’s visual backdrop lends itself beautifully to what we are looking to bring to the screen, the talent in the state is top notch and of course, Virginia has a historical relevance to this story."

The show filmed in Richmond, Petersburg, Powhatan, Goochland and more. Cast and crew stayed in Richmond, with favorite locations including the Byrd Theatre, Carytown, and more.

Filming Locations

Photo Credit: William Gray/SHOWTIME

RICHMOND:

• Belle Isle
• Bolling Haxall House
• Historic Church Hill Neighborhood
• Pohlig Box Factory
• E. Franklin Street
• Three Lakes Park and Nature Center
• Tuckahoe Plantation

PETERSBURG:

• Old Towne Petersburg (Grove Avenue and Main Street)
• Appomattox Ironworks

Learn more about The Good Lord Bird series at Showtime.com.