Catalpa is a six hour historical epic told as a dramatic limited series. Based on a real life “Great Escape” of Irish freedom fighters in the 1870s, and drawing inspiration from historical dramas such as Roots, John Adams, and The Crown, Catalpa touches on issues of identity, loyalty and betrayal, the depths of despair, and the power of hope.

In the 1860s, Ireland was under the heel of a cruel British government and was desperate for freedom. Prior decades had seen attempts to overthrow the crown and establish an Irish free state, but the might of the British Army had defeated every such movement. The children of the famine years were now young adults scarred and traumatized by starvation, loss, and the inhumanity of British policies. A revolt is planned, but - like those before - it is crushed by the might of the British.

The conspirators are arrested and tried, and the civilian leaders are exiled to the United States. Vowing not to make martyrs of them with public executions, Queen Victoria charges the military Fenians with treason and “transports” them to Western Australia to be held in Fremantle, widely recognized as the harshest prison in the empire.

John Devoy, exiled in America, receives a letter begging for his help. James Wilson has managed to smuggle out his “voice from the tomb”, pleading for Devoy’s assistance. With the aid and encouragement of an earlier escapee, Devoy sets out to redeem himself; he will stage the most unlikely rescue possible.

Over the course of the series, Devoy and his team, including whaleship captain George Smith Anthony, agents John Breslin and Thomas Desmond, will be beset by challenges. If the British Navy wasn’t enough, they will deal with treacherous weather, equipment failures, and keeping their several thousand supporters from leaking word of the rescue or engaging in outright revolt.

Show Bible, Treatment and Screenplay for Episode I are available upon request.