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A Small Light

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A Small Light
GenreBiopic war drama
Created by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Running time40–55 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNational Geographic
ReleaseMay 1 (2023-05-01) –
May 22, 2023 (2023-05-22)

A Small Light is a biographical war drama miniseries created by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan.[1][2][3] It premiered on National Geographic on May 1, 2023.[4][5] The miniseries became available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.[6][7][8]

Premise

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Secretary Miep Gies helps her Jewish employer Otto Frank, his family, and other Jewish refugees go into hiding during World War II after the German invasion of the Netherlands.[9][10]

Cast and characters

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Main

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Recurring

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Guest

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  • Lisa Karlström as Charlotte Kaletta

    • Episodes

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    No.Title [11]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [11]
    1"Pilot"Susanna FogelJoan Rater & Tony PhelanMay 1, 2023 (2023-05-01)
    In 1933 Amsterdam, Miep is an aimless young woman who is hired as a secretary by Otto Frank at the company Opekta. Otto is Jewish, recently fled Nazi Germany, and has been unable to secure a visa to the United States. He and Miep bond over their refugee status, as the Austrian Miep was adopted by her Dutch family to escape famine as a child. Otto's wife and two daughters, Margot and Anne, soon join him in Amsterdam. Miep begins a romance with social worker Jan Gies, and they eventually marry. In 1940, the Nazis swiftly invade the Netherlands. In 1942, Miep agrees to help the Frank family hide in a concealed attic apartment above the Opekta offices. Margot is given a deportation order to a work camp, so Miep hides her before the rest of the Franks. Jan is angry that Miep did not discuss the matter with him, but is ultimately proud of her.
    2"Welcome to Switzerland"Susanna FogelJoan Rater & Tony PhelanMay 1, 2023 (2023-05-01)
    Miep and her fellow employees keep running the offices while the Franks shelter in the attic apartment. Otto has left a false paper trail to deceive the Nazis into believing the Franks are in Switzerland. Otto's business partner Mr. Van Pels, his wife, and their son, Peter, hide in the attic as well. Miep and Jan's Jewish landlady, Mrs. Stoppelman, allows her daughter, son-in-law, and their two children, Alfred and Liddy, to stay in her home. As food shortages worsen, Miep and Jan manage to get the Franks and Van Pelses fake ID papers to secure more food rations. Miep's Jewish dentist, Dr. Pfeffer, is also allowed to hide in the attic. Jan is recruited by his boss to join the Dutch resistance, but he's instructed not to tell Miep. A Nazi officer informs Jan that Alfred and Liddy's parents were arrested.
    3"Motherland"Susanna FogelWilliam HarperMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
    Miep and Jan struggle to find a hiding place for Alfred and Liddy. Meanwhile, tensions rise in the attic, especially between Anne and her mother. Through the resistance, Jan connects with Willem Arondéus, who sends Jan to collect an abandoned Jewish baby. Willem returns the favor by finding families to shelter Alfred and Liddy. Miep learns that Tonny Ahlers, a member of the Dutch Nazi Party (NSB), was blackmailing Otto due to him voicing anti-Nazi sentiments in the past. Otto feels guilty that he wasn't more careful, but Miep insists he's gone above and beyond to protect his family. Alfred and Liddy are separated from one another for safety and transported to new homes. Miep asks Anne to act more compassionately towards her mother and fight less, to which she agrees.
    4"The Butterfly"Leslie HopeBen EslerMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
    As the holiday season approaches, the Opekta offices are burgled and the Jewish refugees are nearly discovered. To increase security, the staff disguises the attic door as a bookcase. Jan's secret work with the resistance strains his marriage. Miep's friend, Tess, gifts her a golden necklace with butterfly charms. Jan and Miep attend a Christmas party at the estate of Tess's wealthy boyfriend, Daniel. When Jan realizes all the guests are Nazis, he and Miep swiftly leave. Instead, they spend the first night of Hanukkah with the Franks, Van Pelses, and Pfeffer. Otto informs Miep that the butterfly necklace is a secret Jewish symbol that folds into a Star of David, and it was likely stolen. When Miep questions if she can trust anyone, Jan confesses he's working with the Dutch resistance. Miep begs Tess to leave Daniel, but she refuses. As a result, Miep ends their friendship.
    5"Scheißfeld"Lesile HopeWilliam HarperMay 15, 2023 (2023-05-15)
    Jan helps Willem and other resistance fighters plan a bombing of the Amsterdam civil registry office to hinder the Nazis' ability to identify persecuted citizens. Anne develops a crush on Peter, which worries her mother due to the attic's close quarters. Mrs. Stoppelman leaves the city to hide and, in exchange, the Gieses host college student Kuno. Miep's brother, Casmir, alerts her to Jan's association with militant rebels. She confronts Jan, but he leaves without revealing his plans. After the registry is blown up, suspects are arrested and sentenced to death, including Willem. The missing Jan eventually contacts Miep and they reunite on a tulip farm (the titular "Scheißfeld"). He didn't participate in the bombing, but must still keep a low profile. Anne's romantic feelings for Peter pass. Miep gives her a dress and new shoes for when the war ends.
    6"Boiling Point"Tony PhelanAlyssa Margarite JacobsonMay 15, 2023 (2023-05-15)
    The Germans grow more ruthless towards civilians. The attic group tries to keep their spirits up by making plans for after the war, but Mrs. Frank feels hopeless. NSB officer Ahlers offers Miep a reward if she gives up the Franks, but she continues to feign ignorance of their whereabouts. The Nazis raid the Jewish Council headquarters and send most remaining Jews in Amsterdam to camps. Miep and Jan shelter Mrs. Stoppelman's two adult children and two JC nurses. Kuno seems very ill until an abscess bursts and he recovers. With the help of a spy posing as a Nazi soldier, Jan smuggles the Stoppelmans and nurses out of the city. News of the Normandy landings arrives, causing excitement in the attic. The next day, as the Opekta workers chat, an unseen man points a gun at Miep's head.
    7"What Can Be Saved"Tony PhelanWilliam HarperMay 22, 2023 (2023-05-22)
    On August 4, 1944, the Nazis raid Opekta. The sliding bookcase fails to fool officer Karl Silberbauer, leading to the discovery of the Franks, Van Pelses, and Dr. Pfeffer. The Nazis arrest everyone, including employees Kleiman and Kugler. Miep appeals to Silberbauer, as they are both Viennese. He won't free the arrested, but doesn't detain her. Miep and her coworker, Bep, wonder who tipped off the Gestapo, but they can't be sure. As the Gieses are now on the Nazis' radar, Kuno leaves the house for his own safety. Jan and Miep decide to "buy back" their friends, and so they collect money from the community. Jan wants to conduct the bribe, but Miep points out that her shared Austrian heritage is their only advantage with Silberbauer. He relents and she enters the Gestapo headquarters alone.
    8"Legacy"Tony PhelanJoan Rater & Tony PhelanMay 22, 2023 (2023-05-22)
    Miep tries to bribe the Nazis for the release of her friends and coworkers, but they simply keep her money and throw her out of the building. While inspecting the attic, she finds Anne's diary and saves it. Two months later, the famine-stricken Netherlands are finally freed when the Allies arrive. Kleiman, Kugler, and Otto return to the city. Otto reports that Mrs. Frank and Mr. Van Pels are dead, and he lost track of the others. Alfred is returned to Mrs. Stoppelman, but Liddy succumbed to illness during the war. Miep and Jan help Otto look for the missing, only to learn that Peter, Margot, and Anne have all died. Miep gives Anne's diary to the grieving Otto. By invitation, he lives with the Gieses for seven years, and he's the only member of the attic group that survives the war. Otto publishes Anne's writings as The Diary of a Young Girl. Miep lives to 100 and works to encourage others to fight for a better world. She is quoted, "Even an ordinary secretary, or a housewife, or a teenager can turn on a small light in a dark room."

    Production

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    Development

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    It was announced in February 2022 that Disney+ had greenlit the miniseries from National Geographic, which Tony Phelan and Joan Rater wrote and Susanna Fogel directing multiple episodes of the series.[12] In April Bel Powley was cast as Gies, with Liev Schreiber starring as Otto Frank and Joe Cole as Jan Gies.[13] Amira Casar, Billie Boullet and Ashley Brooke would join in June, with Boullet cast as Anne Frank.[14]

    Production began by July 2022,[15] with filming taking place between Hradec Králové, Prague and Amsterdam in summer 2022.[13]

    Music

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    A Small Light (Songs from the Limited Series)
    Soundtrack album by
    various artists
    ReleasedMay 23, 2023 (2023-05-23)
    Length24:40

    The series' soundtrack was executive produced and co-produced by Este Haim, and features covers by musicians including Danielle Haim, Kamasi Washington, Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen, Weyes Blood, Remi Wolf, King Princess, Orville Peck, and Moses Sumney. The soundtrack album was released on May 23, 2023.[16]

    A Small Light (Songs from the Limited Series) track listing
    No.TitleArtist(s)Length
    1."Till We Meet Again"Danielle Haim2:28
    2."Cheryl"Kamasi Washington5:23
    3."I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire"Sharon Van Etten and Michael Imperioli3:06
    4."My Reverie"Angel Olsen3:09
    5."When You're Smiling"Weyes Blood2:29
    6."Autumn Leaves"Remi Wolf2:12
    7."I'm Making Believe"Orville Peck and King Princess2:15
    8."I'll Be Seeing You"Moses Sumney3:34
    Total length:24:40

    Release

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    A Small Light premiered on National Geographic on May 1, 2023.[17][18] It was released on Disney+ and Hulu on May 2, 2023.[19][20] It later aired on Freeform on May 6, 2023.[21][22]

    Reception

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    Audience viewership

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    On May 4, 2023, according to Jordan Williams of Screen Rant, "With over 11 million recorded attention signals across online platforms, A Small Light is generating considerable buzz from potential viewers, including the second-greatest hype on YouTube for May 2023 releases."[23]

    Critical response

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    The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.80/10, based on 34 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Bel Powley's arresting performance burns bright in A Small Light, a sensitive portrait of heroism in the face of all-encompassing tragedy."[24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 83 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[25]

    Christine Persaud and Nick Perry of Digital Trends included A Small Light in their "Best Shows on Hulu Right Now" list.[26] Kelly Connolly of TV Guide included A Small Light in their "74 Best TV Shows on Hulu Right Now" list.[27] Tamara Fuentes of Cosmopolitan included A Small Light in their "30 Best TV Shows of 2023 We Can't Get Enough Of" list.[28]

    Accolades

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    Awards and nominations received by A Small Light
    Year[a] Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
    2023 Golden Trailer Awards Best BTS/EPK for a TV/Streaming Series (Over 2 minutes) A Small Light Won [29][30]
    Gotham Awards Outstanding Performance in a New Series Bel Powley Nominated [31]
    Breakthrough Television Over 40 Minutes A Small Light Won
    Astra TV Awards Best Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series A Small Light Won [32][33]
    Best Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Bel Powley Nominated
    Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Liev Schreiber Won
    Best Directing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Susanna Fogel (for "Pilot") Won
    Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited or Anthology Series Joan Rater and Tony Phelan (for "Pilot") Nominated
    Artisan Spotlight Ariel Marx (composer) Won
    Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score) Ariel Marx (for "What Can Be Saved") Nominated [34]
    Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials A Small Light Nominated [35]
    Women's Image Network Awards Outstanding Made For TV Movie, Limited Series A Small Light Pending [36]
    Outstanding Actress in Made For TV Movie, Limited Series Bel Powley Pending
    Outstanding Drama Writer Joan Rater (for "Pilot") Pending
    Outstanding Series Director Susanna Fogel (for "Pilot") Pending
    2024 Critics' Choice Awards Best Limited Series A Small Light Nominated [37]
    Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Bel Powley Nominated
    Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Liev Schreiber Nominated
    Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Billie Boullet Nominated
    Independent Spirit Awards Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series Bel Powley Nominated [38]
    Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Bel Powley Nominated [39]
    Christopher Award Affirming the highest values of the human spirit A Small Light Won [40]
    Television Academy Honors For programming that "inspires, informs, motivates and even has the power to change lives" A Small Light Won [41]

    Notes

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    1. ^ The listed year refers to the originally planned date of the ceremony.

    References

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    1. ^ Miller, Caroline (February 6, 2022). "A Small Light Miniseries to Tell the Story of Anne Frank's Protectors on Disney+". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    2. ^ Anderton, Joe (April 16, 2022). "Peaky Blinders star signs up for new Disney+ series from Grey's producers". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    3. ^ Israel National News (February 8, 2022). "Disney to release TV series on Anne Frank's protector". Israel National News. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    4. ^ Cutler, Jacqueline (April 27, 2023). "This 'ordinary' woman hid Anne Frank—and kept her story alive". National Geographic. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    5. ^ Imran, Iqra (April 25, 2023). "What time will A Small Light air on National Geographic? Release date, plot, trailer, and more details". Sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    6. ^ Cordero, Rosy (April 4, 2023). "'A Small Light' Trailer: Nat Geo Limited Series Tells Anne Frank Story From Rescuer's Perspective". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
    7. ^ Hodges, Jake (April 8, 2023). "'A Small Light': Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and Everything We Know So Far". Collider. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    8. ^ Boyle, Kelli (April 4, 2023). "See How Miep Gies Hid Anne Frank's Family in 'A Small Light' Trailer". TV Insider. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    9. ^ Boyle, Kelli (January 16, 2023). "'A Small Light' & More National Geographic Stars in Our TCA Portrait Studio". TV Insider. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    10. ^ De Leon, Radhamely (May 3, 2023). "Is 'A Small Light' on Hulu Based on a True Story? | Decider". Decider. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    11. ^ a b "Shows A-Z – A Small Light on NGC". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on August 16, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
    12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 6, 2022). "Disney+ Orders A Small Light Nat Geo Limited Series About Anne Frank Family's Protector From Tony Phelan, Joan Rater, Susanna Fogel & Keshet". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 6, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
    13. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (April 12, 2022). "Bel Powley To Headline A Small Light; Liev Schreiber & Joe Cole Also Star In Disney+ Holocaust Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
    14. ^ Petski, Denise (June 10, 2022). "A Small Light: Amira Casar, Billie Boullet & Ashley Brooke Join Disney+ Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
    15. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (July 4, 2022). "Liev Schreiber is Open to Returning to Ray Donovan Someday". Collider. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
    16. ^ Aniftos, Rania (April 25, 2023). "Este Haim to Serve as Executive Music Producer on A Small Light National Geographic Series". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
    17. ^ Richmond, Ray (April 4, 2023). "'A Small Light': Nat Geo series heralds heroes who hid Anne Frank and family". GoldDerby.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    18. ^ Roots, Kimberly (February 15, 2023). "A Small Light: NatGeo Limited Series About Anne Frank Ally Sets Premiere". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    19. ^ Phipps, Keith (May 3, 2023). "What to Watch This May: 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,' 'Fast X,' and 'The Little Mermaid'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    20. ^ Schooner, Allison (April 28, 2023). "Everything Coming to Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, Hulu and Peacock in May 2023". PopCulture.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    21. ^ Kennedy, Tricia (April 4, 2023). "Trailer Released for National Geographic's Limited Series "A Small Light"". LaughingPlace.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    22. ^ Hagemann, Andie (April 28, 2023). "How National Geographic's A Small Light Illuminates the Remarkable Story of an Everyday Hero". D23. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    23. ^ Williams, Jordan (May 4, 2023). "The 20 Most Anticipated New Releases of May 2023". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    24. ^ "A Small Light: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
    25. ^ "A Small Light: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
    26. ^ Persaud, Christine; Perry, Nick (June 3, 2023). "The best shows on Hulu right now (June 2023)". Digital Trends. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    27. ^ Connolly, Kelly (June 22, 2023). "The 74 Best TV Shows on Hulu to Watch Right Now (June 2023)". TV Guide. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    28. ^ Fuentes, Tamara (May 2, 2023). "The Top 30 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2023". Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    29. ^ Pedersen, Erik (June 30, 2023). "Golden Trailer Awards: 'Cocaine Bear', 'Only Murders In The Building' & 'Oppenheimer' Among Top Winners – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    30. ^ Prusakowski, Steven (June 30, 2023). "Winners Announced for The 2023 Golden Trailer Awards". AwardsRadar.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
    31. ^ Davis, Clayton; Lang, Brent (October 24, 2023). "Gotham Awards Nominations: 'All of Us Strangers' Leads With Four Nominations". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
    32. ^ Moye, Clarence (July 11, 2023). "2023 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards: 'Yellowjackets,' 'The Boys' Lead All Nominees with 14 Nominations". Awards Daily. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
    33. ^ Schneider, Michael (January 8, 2024). "'The Boys,' 'Succession' Land Most Honors at Astra TV Awards (FULL WINNERS LIST)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
    34. ^ "75th Emmy Awards Complete Nominations List" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
    35. ^ Hailu, Selome (June 30, 2023). "TCA Award Nominations: 'The Bear,' 'Succession,' 'The Last of Us' Lead With Five Nominations Each". Variety. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
    36. ^ The Women's Image Awards [@TheWINAwards] (September 7, 2023). "As Far As They Can Run #nominated #Congratulations" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
    37. ^ Nolfi, Joey (December 13, 2023). "2024 Critics Choice Awards film nominations: See the full list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
    38. ^ Blauvelt, Christian (December 5, 2023). "'American Fiction,' 'May December,' 'Past Lives' Lead 2024 Indie Spirits Noms". IndieWire. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
    39. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
    40. ^ 75th ANNUAL CHRISTOPHER AWARD WINNERS CELEBRATE RESILIENCE, FAITH, AND OUR ‘BETTER ANGELS’
    41. ^ 17th Television Academy Honors Recipients Announced
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