Multi-award-winning Rogan Productions and GroupM Motion Entertainment to produce definitive Nelson Mandela series for Channel 4

Channel 4 has commissioned new documentary series Free Nelson Mandela from Rogan Productions and GroupM Motion Entertainment charting Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary journey and the global struggle to free him.  Free Nelson Mandela (w/t - 3x60’ and 1x90’) is the story of the biggest campaign for a single prisoner in history, and the man who became, for many, the greatest politician of the 20th century.   BBC Studios, who have a first look output deal with Rogan Productions will be distributing the series internationally.

The series documents Mandela’s journey from activist to revolutionary, from prisoner to negotiator and how he led South Africa to democracy from a prison cell.  

The image of Mandela walking free from prison after 27 years is one of the most iconic in history. It took a fierce political struggle and cultural battle to bring about his freedom, producing a global people-powered movement and an explosion of musical activism. With extensive access to those who fought for his freedom and the people at the heart of the anti-apartheid movement, including some of the world’s biggest music stars and hours of previously unseen material, this three-part series, for the first time, tells the story in full. 

Free Nelson Mandela was commissioned by Shaminder Nahal, Channel 4 Head of Specialist Factual. The series is directed by James Rogan. Executive Produced by Soleta Rogan, the Producers are Samora Tikly and Xinlan Rose. Deep Sehgal, Head of Creative Diversity, is Executive Producer for GroupM Motion Entertainment. 

James Rogan, Creative Director of Rogan Productions, said: “Making this series has been a highlight of my career. It has been such a privilege to interview so many of the people closest to Nelson Mandela or helped in the fight to free him. From the prisoners on Robben Island to the politicians on all sides, we’ll hear from the leaders, the activists and musicians who took up the battle for freedom from the 1960s onwards. This is a story we all think we know, but through weaving together personal stories, the historic events and the cultural outcry, a whole different dimension emerges that is often overlooked. It’s an epic story for our time about sacrifice, hope and humanity.” 

Deep Sehgal, GroupM Motion Entertainment added: “It is a great honour to work with Rogan and Channel 4 on a project that resonates with so many people. The ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ concert back in 1988 was the first time that I became aware of international politics. I joined tens of thousands of others at Wembley to hear the greatest musicians in the world demand the freedom of a man who would go on to become a truly global icon.”

Head of Specialist Factual for Channel 4, Shaminder Nahal said: “We are looking forward to bringing the extraordinary story of Nelson Mandela, and the campaign to free him, to a new audience. It’s hard to think of a more significant and deeply resonant story for today. I can’t wait to see how this brilliant team lead by James Rogan, will weave together the scintillating archive, music and testimony and bring it to life in a landmark series.”

Tom Young, Head of Indie Partnerships, Factual at BBC Studios said, “We are thrilled to be joining forces once again with Rogan Productions and Channel 4 to tell the story of such an incredible figure in modern history. Free Nelson Mandela (W/T) shines a bold and thoughtful new light on the legacy of Mandela and will resonate with audiences around the world. BBC Studios has a proven track record of collaborating with Rogan on ambitious documentaries about icons from modern history and this continues this great partnership.” 

Free Nelson Mandela will air on Channel 4 and will be distributed internationally by BBC Studios, as part of their first-look output deal with Rogan Productions. The series is funded by Channel 4 and GroupM Motion Entertainment’s Diverse Indies Fund. The Diverse Indies Fund was set up to support small and medium-sized ethnically diverse-led independent production companies to produce new projects. The fund is overseen by Vivienne Molokwu, Senior Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 and Deep Sehgal, Head of Creative Diversity at GroupM Motion Entertainment.