The TV mini-series When We Rise tells many stories of numerous gay rights activists who have battled — and struggled –politically, professionally and personally over the decades. Two of the trailblazers featured in the mini-series are Roma Guy (Mary-Louise Parker) and Diane, a nurse Roma met in the Peace Corps in Africa who moves to San Francisco to join the women’s movement with Roma. When the AIDS epidemic hit San Francisco, Diane “stepped up to take care of ‘untouchable’ patients and make the case that the federal government’s apathy was genocide.”
In When We Rise, Diane is portrayed by Rachel Griffiths. The Australian actress is known for her roles on Brothers & Sisters (Sarah Walker), Six Feet Under (Brenda Chenowith), and in the films Blow (Ermine Jung), Hacksaw Ridge (Bertha Doss) and My Best Friend’s Wedding (Samantha Newhouse), among others. When We Rise premieres Monday, February 27 at 9pm on ABC.
