MAIN CHARACTER BIOS

SAMUEL WOODARD [LEAD], 33-44, AFRICAN-AMERICAN. With his entire family, Samuel attempts the impossible: escaping to Canada. Samuel battles alcohol addiction and bitterness. When all else fails, he hatches his masterful plan to escape. In the end, he finds the redemption that has so eluded him.

VANESSA WOODARD [LEAD], 30-43, AFRICAN-AMERICAN. Helps lead the family on the escape route. Beautiful, strong and dynamic. She helps Samuel recover from his inner battles and overcomes every obstacle, including protecting her family.

THOMAS GARRETT [LEAD], 45-60, CAUCASIAN. Real-life historical figure who courageously helped fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. Extremely smart. Compassionate, patient, warm. He helps Samuel and his family escape against all odds. His arch nemesis is JD Plimpton, a renowned Slave Hunter hired to capture Samuel's family.

JOHN NEWTON [LEAD], 33-48, CAUCASIAN. Based on the historical figure who was a former slave trader. One night, in a fierce storm, he got on his knees and surrendered his life to God. At the pier, he unties the slaves and pays for their freedom. A world-renown musician, he wrote 'Amazing Grace'.

MARY NEWTON [LEAD], 26-40, CAUCASIAN. Historical figure. Wife of John Newton. Beautiful. She fiercely opposed slavery. Courageously fought against slavery and had many fights with Newton about his participation. Rock solid in her beliefs.

SENDEL [LEAD], 28-40, AFRICAN-AMERICAN. Confidant of John Newton. Dismayed at the conditions on board the slave ship. Helps turns Newton's stubborn opinion around and shows him the true path. Dies in the end.

JD PLIMPTON [LEAD], 40-60, CAUCASIAN. Composite historical figure. Considered the best slave hunter in history. Never lost a slave. Genius IQ. Street smart. Tall, rugged, handsome. His obsessive mission: to bring Samuel and his family back for prosecution. His past, however, torments him. In the end, he finds redemption and lets Samuel go at the Canadian border (similar to Javert in Les Miserables) in a tear-jerking finale.

GRANDMA [LEAD], 57-75, AFRICAN-AMERICAN. She plays the matriarch of the escaping slave family. Calm, patient, a voice of faith. She begins to unweave the powerful story of John Newton to Samuel. In the end, she dies before ever reaching Canada. As she dies, her final words are, "I did finally make it home. A permanent home."

FREDRICK DOUGLASS [FEATURED LEAD], 37-51, AFRICAN-AMERICAN. The historical figure who helped lead the fight against slavery. Douglass helps Samuel and his family reach the next plateau in their journey northward. Gives a fiery speech at a Philly church that rouses the audience.