Stevie Wonder producing miniseries about the Underground Railroad

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Grammy Award-winning musician Stevie Wonder is executive producing a TV miniseries based on Betty DeRamus' acclaimed book Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories From the Underground Railroad, NBC announced Friday.

The eight-hour saga titled Freedom Run will focus on three epic journeys and love stories, each based on actual people, a news release said.

B. Swibel, Adam Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the miniseries and serve as executive producers. Tara Smith and Brian LaRoda will also executive produce.

The book is already in development as a stage musical from Broadway producer Tara Smith's Triptyk Studios, Brian LaRoda and Universal Stage Productions, with Wonder attached to provide the score. Swibel, Westbrook and Charles Randolph-Wright will write the musical's script. Universal Stage Productions currently produces the cultural phenomenon Wicked and the 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot.

"We're increasingly looking for projects that qualify as television events and these harrowing true stories of courageous young men and women who found love, in spite of the heinousness of slavery, certainly does that," Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement about Freedom Run. "Furthermore, the idea of also developing this into a Broadway musical with Stevie Wonder is very exciting as we look to expand the scope of our live stage business. We're thrilled that these producers wanted to bring this important project to us."

"These unforgettable moments in history, which have never been told on television before, are both incredibly painful and heartwarming and need to be presented to the world," added Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment. "We're honored to be adapting this emotionally affecting book in a television event."