When Nolan, a powerful plantation owner, moves his family to a new oceanside home in North Carolina in the late 1860s, his highly educated daughter Abigail struggles to accept the role she's expected to play. Powerful forces work in the shadows, eager to corrupt the family and harness their power and influence to further a dark agenda.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Sean Ballantyne
Justus: Allan Michael
Winnifred: Hannah Ehman
Hannah: Kyana Teresa

Get to know the writer:

1. What is your screenplay about?

This pilot teleplay “Outer Bankers” begins a drama series about all classes of North Carolinians, both Black and white, during one summer on the isolated barrier islands of the Outer Banks, during the Reconstruction year of 1868.

Primarily, it depicts the trials of Abigail Sinclair, the daughter of a plantation owner who has moved his family to a summer cottage on the ocean side of Nags Head, as she navigates an unwanted courtship while teaching her father’s local fishing guide, her family’s former slaves, and at last the members of a former Freedmen’s Colony, and ultimately coming to terms with her and her family’s role in Black oppression.

2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Historical drama

3. Why should this screenplay be made into a television series?

This series harkens back to an important and fragile time in our country’s history, a time when the former slaves desperately wanted/needed an education and acreage but our country did little to provide for them, leaving them with poor opportunities both politically and economically. The series portrays the former Freedmen’s Colony on Roanoke Island and the promise of land ownership and meaningful work it once held for the former slaves and free Blacks who resided there. For the viewers, it will show how racial reconciliation is possible, and suggest ways forward in our country’s current racial climate.

4. How would you describe this script in two words?

Relevant, Entertaining

5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Waking Ned Devine or Pride and Prejudice (the one with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden)

6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?

Six months

7. How many stories have you written?

I’ve written three published novels, on which this television series is based, and one other contemporary novel. Numerous other stories throughout my life.

8. What is your favorite song?

This is too hard!! Music has been a daily indulgence and writing inspiration for a long time. How about Golden by My Morning Jacket or Yes I’m Changing by Tame Impala.

9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?

I had to learn how to write a screenplay by reading a couple of books and reading internet instruction. But mostly, I felt a lot of responsibility to bring authenticity and dignity to the Black characters in the screenplay. I’ve been researching American Black history for years, due to the subject matter of my novels, but as a white woman, I’m always aware of this obvious difference in perspective and try to just give all of my respect and empathy to these important characters.

10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?

Passion—what an active word for someone who basically lives in a chair and makes up stories about other people! I’d say I’m passionate about the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and hope to retire there some day, right on the beach. I’m passionate about a sunshine-y, 80-degree day here in Phoenix when walking or hiking or biking is on the menu. Oh, man, traveling! When the badminton net is up, I enjoy playing that, especially while music is blasting. I do love a good dram of whisky, and not to sound corny, but I spend most of my love and life on my family—my three kids (two of whom are adults now), husband and border collie.

11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?

So easy. A great platform site!

12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

Any organization that supports women in an important way is going to draw me in, so naturally I submitted to this festival. I thought the feedback that I received was super helpful and I’m so grateful.