Premium TV network EPIX announced today that actress Rosario Dawson has joined the limited Original Documentary Series “American Divided” – the docu-series executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, Common and Norman Lear, that will feature narratives around inequality in education, housing, healthcare, labor, criminal justice and the political system – all woven into an eight-story, four-and-half hour series.

“America Divided” follows high-profile correspondents as they explore aspects of inequality related to their own biographies. Common returns to his hometown of Chicago – ground zero for disparities in the criminal justice system. America Ferrera travels to Texas to witness battles around access to the ballot and healthcare for poor women. Zach Galifianakis investigates the political landscape in his home state of North Carolina and considers how it’s emblematic of the country’s deepening political divide during the 2016 campaign. Norman Lear, an original member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame, reports on the housing crisis in New York – from people who have no homes to luxury apartments purposely kept vacant. Amy Poehler witnesses the complex challenges faced by domestic workers who maintain an intimate relationship with the families that employ them, while also struggling for better conditions. Peter Sarsgaard explores the addiction crisis ravaging a heartland beset by unemployment and the shuttering of America’s factories. Jesse Williams goes back to the classroom and becomes immersed in the battle to fix inequality in education. And new addition Dawson, who is no stranger to offering her voice to conversations of national importance, has been tapped to explore the ongoing causes and legacy of the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Dawson’s segment begins production this month.

Dawson profiles the citizen-scientists who first exposed the existence of lead in the Flint water supply; investigates the alleged cover-up; and examines the policies behind the decision to switch the water supply in the first place. She joins residents, doctors, scientists, academics and political leaders in in-depth conversations to find answers to questions raised by one of the worst public health disasters in American history.

“America Divided,” an EPIX Original Documentary series, is executive produced by Solly Granatstein (“Years Of Living Dangerously,” “60 Minutes”), Lucian Read (“Years of Living Dangerously,” 99%), Richard Rowley (Dirty Wars, “Years of Living Dangerously”), Norman Lear (“All in the Family,” “Maude”), Common (Selma, John Wick 2), Shonda Rhimes (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal”), Jon Kamen (The Fog of War, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory), Justin Wilkes (What Happened, Miss Simone?, Under African Skies) and Dave O’Connor (Whitey: The United States v. James J. Bulger, You Don’t Know Bo).

Nicole Dow and Derek Dudley (Freedom Road Productions), and Brent Miller (Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You) are co-executive producers.

Solly Granatstein, Lucian Read and Richard Rowley also serve as directors.

Rebecca Teitel and Jesse Williams (Senior Producer, Farword Films) are senior producers.

Abby Ellis and Leah Thomas are producers. Mark S. Greenberg, Jocelyn Diaz, Ross Bernard and Jill Burkhart are executive producers for EPIX.

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America Divided

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