ABC approves gay rights miniseries 'When We Rise,' Gus Van Sant to direct

NEW YORK, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- ABC has greenlighted the creation of a new miniseries project, When We Rise, following the story of the gay rights movement.

Milk director Gus Van Sant is set to helm the eight-hour series, which has been in development for over two years, Deadline reports. Van Sant will also executive produce alongside Bruce Cohen.

The project presents a new opportunity for the team behind successful LGBT rights film Milk, including writer Dustin Lance Black, to reconvene after the 2008 film.

When We Rise will follow the expanse of personal and public experiences of LGBT men and women in history spanning from the Civil Rights movement and the Stonewall Riots to the present day, Variety reports.

Director Van Sant's most recent project, the Matthew McConaughey-led The Sea of Trees, attracted backlash during this year's Cannes Film Festival in May. Actor McConaughey responded to the negative reaction during a panel discussion saying, "real simply, anyone has as much right to boo as they do to ovate."