FX developing Limited series based on Tony Horwitz ’s book Midnight Rising

: Paul Giamatti and FX are in the early stages of a limited series on the spark that started the fire of the Civil War. I’ve learned that Untitled John Brown Project, as it is currently being called, traces the true story of the abolitionist’s transformation from a lowly 50-year old farmer to a notorious anti-slavery freedom fighter in Kansas and his famed 1859 raid on Harper’s Ferry. The project is based on Tony Horwitz ’s 2011 book Midnight Rising which examines Brown’s attack on the Virginia arsenal. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the raid, which started as an attempt to launch an armed revolt against the forces of slavery in a politically fraught America, is widely acknowledged as being an emotional tipping point toward the South’s secession the following year. Defeated by Marines led by a certain Col. Robert E. Lee, Brown was convicted and killed by hanging for his part in the raid. Horwitz is a consultant on the project which is expected to be 6 to 8 hours in total.

Source: deadline