Gretchen Carlson has inked a deal with A+E Originals to produce documentary specials, starting with a look at the national reckoning over the scourge of sexual harassment in the workplace.
The pact calls for Carlson to host at least three specials to be produced by A+E Originals, the unscripted production arm of the cable group that is home to Lifetime, A&E Network and History.
The project on deck is “The Brave with Gretchen Carlson” for Lifetime, a two-hour study of what is needed to combat sexual harassment. The focus will be on telling the stories of women from all walks of life who have suffered unwanted sexual advances in the workplace and the steps that need to be taken to prevent such behavior.
“The most crucial thing to me is to move the ball forward. How do we tell everybody’s stories, not just those of relatively famous people, and how do we involve men in this issue,” Carlson told Variety. “We need to focus on the role of men and how important it is for men to join us in this effort. We need men to stop being bystanders and turn into allies.”
Carlson, a former anchor at Fox News, help open the floodgates to the current scrutiny of the issue when she filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in June 2016 against the late Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, which led to his ouster. During the past two years she has championed her “Be Fierce” movement focusing on female empowerment. She penned a book by the same name and has been pushing for federal legislation to toughen laws related to workplace sexual harassment and related issues.
Carlson said she hopes the “Brave” special will draw the participation of some high-profile men who have faced harassment allegations. The other two specials will focus on inspirational stories of everyday Americans, per Lifetime.
“Gretchen has stood at the forefront of this powerful movement, risking her own career to protect all women. She’s a trusted, courageous journalist and a tireless advocate for women from all walks of life,” said Steve Ascher, VP of A+E Originals. Ascher, Carlson, Kristy Sabat, and Liz Gateley will serve as executive producers of the specials.
(Excerpt) Read More in: Variety