I’m not gonna lie, you guys – The CW is doing an exceptional job with its line-up for the 2020-21 broadcast season amidst the pandemic lockdown.
Apart from the two shows we’ve talked about before, Superman & Lois (with Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch in the title roles) and Walker with Jared Padalecki, the CW has also given straight to series orders to two more shows: a reboot of the 70s series Kung Fu and The Republic of Sarah.
The Republic of Sarah received its pilot order back in January and as mentioned, it was opted to skip the pilot round with a straight to series order in May. The show returned to filming season 1 in October 2020. And on February 24th, 2021, it was announced that the show will premiere on The CW on Monday, June 14th!
Who’s behind The Republic of Sarah?
Jeffrey Paul King is credited as a writer with Kat Candler as the director of the pilot, and both will also be serving as executive producers. Joining them as executive producers are Marc Web and Mark Martin of Black Lamb, and Jeff Grosvenor and Leo Pearlman of Fulwell 73.
The Republic of Sarah will be produced by one of the network’s corporate studios: CBS TV Studios, in association with Black Lamb and Fulwell 73 – the latter of which is currently under contract with the studio.
Before the previous broadcast season, an older version of the show went to pilot for CBS but was ultimately passed over. However, CBS TV Studios still liked the pitch and asked King – along with the producers – to modify it for the CW. Thankfully, this version is going to make it to our screens!
What’s The Republic of Sarah about?
Greylock, New Hampshire was just your run-of-the-mill town until one day, a corporate giant in the mining industry steps into the picture. A huge deposit of coltan (a valuable metal used in creating tech) was discovered beneath the town’s grounds, and Lydon Industries is there to extract it. While they argue it could benefit the town, the negative consequences could be much worse.
Sarah Cooper is a friendly high school history teacher who taps into her rebellious side by fighting against Lyndon Industries, which is made all the more difficult when she discovers her own brother is representing the mining company.
Soon, Sarah discovers a strange cartographical loophole that proves Greylock was never officially claimed by the United States, meaning they could declare independence.
With the help of her friends, colleagues, and students, Sarah will try to rally the townspeople of Greylock into voting for independence, thus protecting their homes, jobs, and town – and building a sovereign nation from scratch!
Who’s in The Republic of Sarah?
Sarah Cooper will be played by Stella Baker, who you may know from Tell Me Your Secrets. While her lawyer brother Danny Cooper will be played by Luke Mitchell from Blindspot, short-loved The Code and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. among other shows.
Sarah’s friends include fellow teacher Corinne DeArborn (played by Hope Lauren), roommate and police officer Amy “AJ” Johnson (portrayed by Nia Holloway), and diner manager Grover Sims (played by Ian Duff).
Izabella Alvarez, Forest Goodluck, and Landry Bender will be playing some of Sarah’s high school students who have rallied behind her cause.
Alvarez’s Maya Jimenez is the new kid in town sent to Greylock after her mom goes to prison. Goodluck’s Tyler Easterbrook is a tough yet introspective kid who will form a connection with Bender’s Bella Whitmore, who’s also the daughter of Greylock’s current mayor.
And most recently, Xander Berkeley was cast as Paul Cooper, Sarah, and Danny’s absentee father. With Megan Follows playing their alcoholic mother Ellen Cooper.
The Republic of Sarah is set to premiere on The CW on Monday, June 14th at 9/8 central!