I'll Fly Away (TV series)

*I'll Fly Away*
I'll Fly Away
	Original cast
Created by	Joshua Brand; John Falsey
Starring	Sam Waterston; Regina Taylor; Jeremy London; Jason London; Ashlee Levitch; John Aaron Bennett; Kathryn Harrold; Peter Simmons; Bill Cobbs; Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly
Narrated by	Regina Taylor
Theme music composer	W.G. Snuffy Walden
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	38 + TV movie
Production
Running time	60 minutes
Production companies	Brand-Falsey Productions; Lorimar Television
Original release
Network	NBC (1991–1993); PBS (1993 TV movie)
Release	October 7, 1991 –; February 5, 1993; (TV movie: Oct. 11, 1993)

I'll Fly Away is an American drama television series set during the late 1950s and early 1960s,^[1]^[2]^[3] in an unspecified Southern U.S. state. It aired on NBC from 1991 to 1993 and starred Regina Taylor as Lilly Harper, a black housekeeper for the family of district attorney Forrest Bedford (Sam Waterston), who was named after the controversial Confederate Army leader Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821-1877). As the show progressed, Lilly became increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement, which eventually drew in Forrest as well.

Overview

I'll Fly Away won two 1992 Emmy Awards (Eric Laneuville for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing in a Drama Series for the episode "All God's Children", and for series creators Joshua Brand and John Falsey for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Miniseries or a Special), and 23 nominations in total. It won three Humanitas Prizes, two Golden Globe Awards, two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, and a Peabody Award. However, the series was never a ratings blockbuster, and it was canceled by NBC in 1993, despite widespread protests by critics and viewer organizations.^[4]

After the program's cancellation, a two-hour movie, I'll Fly Away: Then and Now, was produced, in order to resolve dangling storylines from Season 2, and provide the series with a true finale. The movie aired on October 11, 1993 on PBS. Its major storyline closely paralleled the true story of the 1955 murder of Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi. Thereafter, PBS began airing repeats of the original episodes, ceasing after one complete showing of the entire series. The series also aired on PAX. [1]

The series takes its name from a Christian hymn written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley.

In 1999 TV Guide ranked Lilly Harper number 15 on its list of 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time.^[5] In 2013 it ranked the series #9 on their list of 60 shows that were "Cancelled Too Soon".^[6]

Cast

Regular cast

Actor	Character	Seasons
Actor	Character	1	2	Then and Now
Sam Waterston	Forrest Bedford	Main
Regina Taylor	Lilly Harper	Main
Jeremy London	Nathaniel "Nathan" Bedford	Main
Jason London	Nathaniel "Nathan" Bedford			Main
Ashlee Levitch	Francie Bedford	Main
John Aaron Bennett	John Morgan Bedford	Main
Kathryn Harrold	Christina LeKatzis	Main
Peter Simmons	Paul Slocum	Recurring	Main
Bill Cobbs	Lewis Coleman	Recurring		Main
Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly	Adlaine Harper	Recurring
Brad Sullivan	Coach Zollicofer Weed	Recurring

Recurring cast

Mary Alice: Marguerite Peck
Wayne Brady: Damon Rollins
Roger Aaron Brown: Reverend Henry
Cara Buono: Diane Lowe
Vondie Curtis-Hall: Joe Clay and Howard Yearwood
Michael Dolan: Francis Vawter
Ed Grady: Judge Lake Stevens
Dorian Harewood: Clarence "Cool Papa" Charleston
Deborah Hedwall: Gwen Bedford
Tommy Hollis: Oscar Wilson
Rebecca Koon: Eileen Slocum
Elizabeth Omilami: Joelyn
Scott Paulin: Tucker Anderson
Harold Perrineau, Jr.: Robert Evans
Amy Ryan: Parky Sasser
Sonny Shroyer: Bobby Slocum
N'Bushe Wright: Claudia Bishop

Setting

The events of the series take place in the fictional town of Bryland, located in Bryland County.

The exact state in which Bryland is located remains unspecified throughout the series.^[7] However, at various points the following Southern states were referred to in such a manner as to eliminate them from possibly being the setting: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Additionally, references to "counties" within the state eliminates Louisiana, where counties are called "parishes".

In "Freedom Bus" (Season 2, Episode 6), Forrest Bedford is referred to as a new U.S. Attorney "in the Fifth District," presumably a reference to the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the federal court system. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Fifth Circuit included Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Georgia (along with the Panama Canal Zone). Since the first five states can each be eliminated based upon statements made by characters throughout the series, the most likely setting for the series is Georgia.^[8]

Episodes

Season One (1991–1992)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Pilot"	Joshua Brand	Joshua Brand & John Falsey	October 7, 1991 (1991-10-07)
Lilly is hired as the Bedfords' housekeeper as Forrest prosecutes a white man for a bus accident that killed three black people and John Morgan deals with his mother being in the hospital.
2	2	"The Hat"	John David Coles	David Chase	October 8, 1991 (1991-10-08)
John Morgan's lost cowboy hat is found by Adlaine, while Forrest deals with verbal assault in a beating case arising from the demonstration.
3	3	"Rules of the Game"	Jack Bender	Barbara Hall	October 15, 1991 (1991-10-15)
Francie faces womanhood while Forrest is on a hunting trip and John Morgan grows worried over an errant arrow.
4	4	"Amazing Grace"	Kevin Rodney Sullivan	Henry Bromell	October 22, 1991 (1991-10-22)
Forrest joins the race for attorney general while Lilly considers going to a voting-rights meeting and Francie has writer's block.
5	5	"All God's Children"	Eric Laneuville	Judi Ann Mason	October 29, 1991 (1991-10-29)
John Morgan is disappointed at not being invited to Lilly's party, while Forrest comes to realize that running for office will not be so easy.
6	6	"Beyond Here Dar Be Dragons"	Eugene Corr	Joshua Brand & John Falsey	November 5, 1991 (1991-11-05)
Christina and John Morgan are each haunted by the memories of the Ku Klux Klan.
7	7	"Parallel Lives"	Michael Fresco	Stuart Stevens	November 19, 1991 (1991-11-19)
Slocum and Evans clash over the brick-throwing incident, while Lewis wishes to relive his time in the Negro Leagues.
8	8	"Coming Home"	Mark Sobel	Kevin Arkadie	November 26, 1991 (1991-11-26)
The Bedfords are propelled into conflict at Thanksgiving when Gwen visits and Lilly's brother returns from the North.
9	9	"Some Desperate Glory"	Ian Sander	Barbara Hall	December 10, 1991 (1991-12-10)
Nathan and Slocum compete in a game of chicken, while Francie turns to Lilly for help in singing at the church benefit.
10	10	"Desire"	Aaron Lipstadt	Henry Bromell and Judi Ann Mason	December 17, 1991 (1991-12-17)
As Lilly plans to divorce her husband, Nathan comes into conflict with a carnival worker and Forrest makes things for him worse when he arrests an upstanding citizen in the McDaniel murder case.
11	11	"Alice Oakley Doesn't Live Here Anymore"	Jack Bender	Josef Anderson	January 7, 1992 (1992-01-07)
John Morgan makes up a story about his mother joining the rodeo, while Forrest finds a witness and Slocum's father kicks him out of the house.
12	12	"On the Road"	Barbara Amato	Frank Dandrolf	February 28, 1992 (1992-02-28)
Forrest lobbies for Francie's affections on his campaign trail, while Lilly tries registering to vote.
13	13	"Master Magician"	Eric Laneuville	David Chase	March 6, 1992 (1992-03-06)
John Morgan plans a postvictory magic show for Forrest, while Lilly considers the possibility that the gains earned by casting a vote could just be an illusion.
14	14	"Hard Lessons"	Jack Bender	Barbara Hall	March 13, 1992 (1992-03-13)
The townspeople decide to teach Forrest a lesson, while Nathan wants to know the reason behind Forrest and Lake's falling-out.
15	15	"Cool Winter Blues"	Joe Napolitano	Judi Ann Mason	March 20, 1992 (1992-03-20)
As the demonstration gets serious due to an impromptu protest, Lilly betrays John Morgan and Nathan discovers a stunning truth about his girlfriend.
16	16	"The Way Things Are"	Roy Campanella II	Henry Bromell	March 27, 1992 (1992-03-27)
As Lilly takes action due to Rev. Henry's latest protest, Nathan and Diane's status as a couple creates rather harsh comments and John Morgan fiddles with electricity.
17	17	"Slow Dark Coming"	Michael Fresco	Karen Hall	April 3, 1992 (1992-04-03)
Diane's parents try to end her relationship with Nathan, while racial tensions rise with the department store boycott.
18	18	"Toy Soldiers"	Michael Katleman	Marc Rubin	April 10, 1992 (1992-04-10)
As Lilly and Forrest witness police officers assaulting black children, Tucker sets his sights on a campaign worker.
19	19	"The Kindness of Strangers"	Bruce Seth Green	Barbara Hall and Henry Bromell	April 24, 1992 (1992-04-24)
Forrest wants someone to pay for his incompetent opponent in a murder trial, while Lilly falls for a saxophone player and is glad to see Zollicofer.
20	20	"Not Buried"	David Chase	David Chase	May 1, 1992 (1992-05-01)
As John Morgan tries to ease his guilt over the passing of an elderly neighbor, Forrest asks Christina to defend a black man accused of murder.
21	21	"A Dangerous Comfort"	Michael Fresco	Barbara Hall and Henry Bromell	May 15, 1992 (1992-05-15)
A triangle develops between Lilly, Clarence and Lewis, while Christina faces her demons in helping Tucker face his.
22	22	"The Slightest Distance"	Ian Sander	Paul Margolis	May 15, 1992 (1992-05-15)
As Lilly attempts to make peace between her father and Clarence, Nathan sees something he soon regrets.

Season Two (1992–1993)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
23	1	"Hello and Goodbye"	Jack Bender	Barbara Hall	September 25, 1992 (1992-09-25)
As Lilly tries to respond to Clarence's proposal, Forrest decides to accept the job of U.S. attorney, despite Nathan confronting him about his affair with Christina.
24	2	"Ruler of My Heart"	Michael Fresco	Kevin Arkadie	October 2, 1992 (1992-10-02)
The FBI questions Lilly, while Forrest receives news that Gwen may be coming home and Francie throws a party.
25	3	"All in the Life"	Ian Sander	Henry Bromell	October 9, 1992 (1992-10-09)
As Forrest is forced to tell his children the bad news about Gwen on his first day as U.S. attorney, Slocum learns that Parkie could be pregnant.
26	4	"Until Tomorrow"	Eric Laneuville	Henry Bromell	October 16, 1992 (1992-10-16)
The Bedfords mourn a friend's death, while Lewis takes Adlaine to a meeting.
27	5	"Desperate Measures"	Allan Arkush	Barbara Hall	October 30, 1992 (1992-10-30)
Rev. Henry convinces Forrest to get involved in the trial of the men accused of killing Col. Launders.
28	6	"Freedom Bus"	Michael Katleman	Rogers Turrentine	November 6, 1992 (1992-11-06)
One of a group of visiting Freedom Riders stays with Lilly, while Nathan takes his driving test.
29	7	"Eighteen"	David Chase	David Chase	November 13, 1992 (1992-11-13)
Slocum takes a trip to a brothel with Nathan before proposing to Parkie, while Lily asks Forrest for a raise.
30	8	"Fragile Truths"	Jack Bender	Karen Hall	November 20, 1992 (1992-11-20)
Slocum seeks legal advice from Forrest when the police interrogate him and Lilly clashes with her cousin.
31	9	"Since Walter"	Sam Waterston	Lynn Siefert	November 27, 1992 (1992-11-27)
Just as Frankie discovers there was a third man in Col. Landers' murder, Slocum's trial begins and Lilly's ex-husband arrives in town.
32	10	"The Third Man"	Kevin Hooks	Lonne Elder	December 11, 1992 (1992-12-11)
As Slocum's trial comes to an end, Lilly falls for a porter and Forrest faces the third man involved in the murder of Col. Landers.
33	11	"Comfort and Joy"	Scott Paulin	Barbara Hall	December 11, 1992 (1992-12-11)
At Christmastime, Lilly is beaten by an opponent of the Freedom Riders, the Bedfords attend a Christmas party at Christina's and Slocum finds holiday cheer in a most unlikely place
34	12	"Realpolitik"	Allan Arkush	Henry Bromell and Kevin Arkadie	January 8, 1993 (1993-01-08)
While Lilly becomes the leader of a boycott, Forrest debates dropping the Landers case as his relationship with Christina gets worse.
35	13	"Small Wishes"	Félix Enríquez Alcalá	Dee Johnson	January 15, 1993 (1993-01-15)
Nathan gets arrested for possessing drugs, while the Landers trial comes to a close and John Morgan grows jealous of Lilly and Joe's relationship.
36	14	"What's in a Name?"	James A. Contner	Marjorie David	January 22, 1993 (1993-01-22)
As Forrest finds himself being followed, Nathan starts to feel pressure over his relationship with Claudia and Lilly tries to get an old woman registered to vote.
37	15	"Commencement"	Jack Bender	Rogers Turrentine	January 29, 1993 (1993-01-29)
Lilly tries to study for her high-school finals, while Forrest informs Christina he's being followed and a group of students set up a sit-in.
38	16	"State"	Ian Sander	Josef Anderson	February 5, 1993 (1993-02-05)
Joe considers becoming a teacher for the new school, while Nathan unwillingly goes to a college interview arranged by Forrest.

Special

Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
"Then and Now"	Ian Sander	John Falsey	October 11, 1993 (1993-10-11)
In 1993, Lilly tells her 12-year-old grandson about a terrible incident that occurred during her last days as the Bedfords' housekeeper.

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result
1992	American Cinema Editors' Eddie Award	Best Edited Episode from a Television Series	David Rosenbloom and Karen I. Stern (For the pilot episode)	Nominated
1992	American Society of Cinematographers Award	Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Pilots	William Wages	Nominated
1993	American Television Awards^[9]^[10]	Best Dramatic Series		Won
		Best Actor, Dramatic Series	Sam Waterston	Won
		Best Actress, Dramatic Series	Regina Taylor	Won
	Casting Society of America's Artios Award	Best Casting for TV, Dramatic Episodic	Theodore S. Hann and Jay Binder	Nominated
1992	Directors Guild of America Award	Outstanding Directing – Drama Series	Eric Laneuville (For episode "All God's Children")	Won
1993	Directors Guild of America Award	Outstanding Directing – Drama Series	Roy Campanella II (For episode "The Way Things Are")	Nominated
1992	Golden Globe Award	Best Television Series – Drama		Nominated
1992		Best Actor – Television Series Drama	Sam Waterston	Nominated
1993		Best Television Series – Drama		Nominated
		Best Actor – Television Series Drama	Sam Waterston	Won
		Best Actress – Television Series Drama	Regina Taylor	Won
1992	Humanitas Prize	60 Minute Category	Henry Bromell	Won
		60 Minute Category	Kevin Arkadie (For episode "Coming Home")	Nominated
		90 Minute Category	Joshua Brand and John Falsey (For the pilot episode)	Won
1993	Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Award	Best Sound Editing - Television Episodic - Effects & Foley	Mace Matiosian	Won
1994	NAACP Image Award	Outstanding Drama Series, Miniseries or Television Movie		Won
1994		Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Miniseries or Television Movie	Dorian Harewood	Won
1995		Outstanding Drama Series		Won
1995		Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series	Regina Taylor	Won
1991	Peabody Award		Brand-Falsey Productions	Won
1992	Primetime Emmy Award	Outstanding Drama Series	Joshua Brand, David Chase, John Falsey, Barbara Hall, John Forrest Niss and Ian Sander	Nominated
		Outstanding Made for Television Movie	Joshua Brand, John Falsey, John Forrest Niss and Ian Sander (For the pilot episode)	Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Sam Waterston	Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series	Regina Taylor	Nominated
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series	Mary Alice	Nominated
		Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series	David Chase (For episode "Master Magician")	Nominated
		Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special	Joshua Brand and John Falsey (For the pilot episode)	Won
		Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series	Eric Laneuville (For episode "All God's Children")	Won
		Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special	Joshua Brand (For the pilot episode)	Nominated
		Outstanding Main Title Theme Music	W.G. Snuffy Walden	Nominated
		Outstanding Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Single-Camera Production	David Rosenbloom and Karen I. Stern (For the pilot episode)	Nominated
		Outstanding Costumes for a Series	Tom McKinley (For episode "The Slightest Distance")	Nominated
		Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special	Mina Mittelman (For the pilot episode)	Nominated
		Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special	James Hulsey and Joseph Litsch (For the pilot episode)	Nominated
		Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special	Peter Austin, Peter Bergren, John Bonds, Joe Earle, Frank Fuller, Gary Gelfand, Michael Gutierrez, Jim Hebenstreit, H. Jay Levine, Albert Lord, Bruce Michaels, Brian Thomas Nist, Ralph Osborn, Allan K. Rosen, Matthew Sawelson, Adam Sawelson, Richard Taylor, Randal S. Thomas, Patty Von Arx and Dave Weathers (For the pilot episode)	Nominated
1993		Outstanding Drama Series	Joshua Brand, Henry Bromell, David Chase, John Falsey, Barbara Hall, John Forrest Niss and Ian Sander	Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Sam Waterston	Nominated
		Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series	Regina Taylor	Nominated
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series	Mary Alice	Won
		Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series	Eric Laneuville (For episode "Until Tomorrow")	Nominated
		Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series	Rosanna Carter	Nominated
		Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics	Stephen James Taylor (For song "State Until You Come Home")	Nominated
		Outstanding Costumes for a Series	Tom McKinley (For episode "The Third Man")	Nominated
1994		Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie	Sam Waterston (For special "I'll Fly Away: Then and Now")	Nominated
1994		Outstanding Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special	Tom McKinley (For special "I'll Fly Away: Then and Now")	Nominated
1993	Producers Guild of America Award	Outstanding Producer of Television	David Chase and Ian Sander	Won
1992	Television Critics Association Award	Program of the Year		Nominated
1992		Outstanding Achievement in Drama		Won
1993		Outstanding Achievement in Drama		Won
1992	Viewers for Quality Television Award	Best Quality Drama Series		Won
		Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series	Sam Waterston	Nominated
		Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series	Regina Taylor	Won
1993		Best Quality Drama Series		Won
		Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series	Sam Waterston	Nominated
		Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series	Regina Taylor	Won
	Writers Guild of America Award	Episodic Drama	Henry Bromell (For episode "Amazing Grace")	Won
			Kevin Arkadie (For episode "Coming Home")	Nominated
1994			Barbara Hall (For episode "Comfort and Joy")	Nominated
1992	Young Artist Award	Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series	Ashlee Levitch	Nominated
1992		Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor Under 10	John Aaron Bennett	Nominated
1993		Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series	Jeremy London	Won
		Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series	Ashlee Levitch	Won
		Outstanding Actor Under 10 in a Television Series	John Aaron Bennett	Won
		Outstanding Actress Under 10 in a Television Series	Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly	Won
1994		Best Youth Actress Leading Role in a Television Series	Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly	Won

References

^ The episode "Some Desperate Glory" (Season 1, Episode 9) depicts the marquee of a local movie theater, listing Auntie Mame as the main feature. This film was first released in the United States in December 1958, implying that the first season of I'll Fly Away takes place in 1958 and 1959. However, in "The Slightest Distance" (Season 1, Episode 22), a U.S. Justice Department official remarks that a "new administration" about to take office. Clearly a reference to President John F. Kennedy, this would place the first season's latter episodes between the November 8, 1960 election and the January 20, 1961 inauguration.
^ In "Freedom Bus" (Season 2, Episode 6), Robert F. Kennedy is referred to as the United States Attorney General, an office he assumed in 1961. Subsequently, in "State" (Season 2, Episode 16), Joe Clay is seen browsing through a 1962 Chevrolet catalog.
^ The bulk of the series finale I'll Fly Away: Then and Now is a flashback to events occurring in the summer of 1962.
^ John J. O'Connor (October 11, 1993). "Review/Television; PBS Revives a Series On Race and America". The New York Times.
^ TV Guide Guide to TV. Barnes and Noble. 2004. p. 651. ISBN 0-7607-5634-1.
^ Roush, Matt (June 3, 2013). "Cancelled Too Soon". TV Guide. pp. 20 and 21
^ The episode "Slow Coming Dark" (Season 1, Episode 17) depicts an automobile with a license plate registered in "Bryland", as opposed to one of the 50 states. A subsequent episode, "Freedom Bus" (Season 2, Episode 6), depicts a motorcycle with a similar license plate.
^ The notion that Georgia is the setting for the series finds credence in several episodes. In "The Third Man" (Season 2, Episode 10), Forrest Bedford coerces a Klan infiltrator into maintaining his cover by threatening to have him imprisoned in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. In "State" (Season 2, Episode 16), Lilly Harper – while discussing a freedom school to be opened in Bryland – mentions the possibility of using students from Morehouse College (a historically Black college in Atlanta) as teachers. Moreover, in the final scene of "State", two African-American students (one male, one female) are shown integrating the local state university, with federal troops protecting them from a mob of jeering White students. The scene is reminiscent of the 1961 integration of the University of Georgia by Hamilton E. Holmes and Charlayne Hunter. Finally, in the series finale I'll Fly Away: Then and Now, Lilly reads from a novel she has written, one which is clearly based upon her own life. The protagonist of the novel states that she was born in "a small Southern town located on a parched southwestern plot of Georgian soil."
^ Lowry, Brian (April 16, 1993). "CBS leads noms for Emmy rival". variety.com. Retrieved October 29, 2013.
^ "American TV Awards to 'Seinfeld,' 'Fly Away'". variety.com. May 24, 1993. Retrieved October 29, 2013.

External links

[1] The episode "Some Desperate Glory" (Season 1, Episode 9) depicts the marquee of a local movie theater, listing Auntie Mame as the main feature. This film was first released in the United States in December 1958, implying that the first season of I'll Fly Away takes place in 1958 and 1959. However, in "The Slightest Distance" (Season 1, Episode 22), a U.S. Justice Department official remarks that a "new administration" about to take office. Clearly a reference to President John F. Kennedy, this would place the first season's latter episodes between the November 8, 1960 election and the January 20, 1961 inauguration.

[2] In "Freedom Bus" (Season 2, Episode 6), Robert F. Kennedy is referred to as the United States Attorney General, an office he assumed in 1961. Subsequently, in "State" (Season 2, Episode 16), Joe Clay is seen browsing through a 1962 Chevrolet catalog.

[3] The bulk of the series finale I'll Fly Away: Then and Now is a flashback to events occurring in the summer of 1962.

[4] John J. O'Connor (October 11, 1993). "Review/Television; PBS Revives a Series On Race and America". The New York Times.

[5] TV Guide Guide to TV. Barnes and Noble. 2004. p. 651. ISBN 0-7607-5634-1.

[6] Roush, Matt (June 3, 2013). "Cancelled Too Soon". TV Guide. pp. 20 and 21

[7] The episode "Slow Coming Dark" (Season 1, Episode 17) depicts an automobile with a license plate registered in "Bryland", as opposed to one of the 50 states. A subsequent episode, "Freedom Bus" (Season 2, Episode 6), depicts a motorcycle with a similar license plate.

[8] The notion that Georgia is the setting for the series finds credence in several episodes. In "The Third Man" (Season 2, Episode 10), Forrest Bedford coerces a Klan infiltrator into maintaining his cover by threatening to have him imprisoned in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary. In "State" (Season 2, Episode 16), Lilly Harper – while discussing a freedom school to be opened in Bryland – mentions the possibility of using students from Morehouse College (a historically Black college in Atlanta) as teachers. Moreover, in the final scene of "State", two African-American students (one male, one female) are shown integrating the local state university, with federal troops protecting them from a mob of jeering White students. The scene is reminiscent of the 1961 integration of the University of Georgia by Hamilton E. Holmes and Charlayne Hunter. Finally, in the series finale I'll Fly Away: Then and Now, Lilly reads from a novel she has written, one which is clearly based upon her own life. The protagonist of the novel states that she was born in "a small Southern town located on a parched southwestern plot of Georgian soil."

[9] Lowry, Brian (April 16, 1993). "CBS leads noms for Emmy rival". variety.com. Retrieved October 29, 2013.

[10] "American TV Awards to 'Seinfeld,' 'Fly Away'". variety.com. May 24, 1993. Retrieved October 29, 2013.

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v t e TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
1980s	The Jewel in the Crown (1985) Death of a Salesman (1986) L.A. Law (season 1) (1987) St. Elsewhere (season 6) (1988) Lonesome Dove (1989)
1990s	Twin Peaks (season 1) (1990) thirtysomething (season 4) (1991) I’ll Fly Away (season 1) (1992) I’ll Fly Away (season 2) (1993) NYPD Blue (season 1) (1994) My So-Called Life (season 1) (1995) Homicide: Life on the Street (season 4) (1996) Homicide: Life on the Street (season 5) (1997) Homicide: Life on the Street (season 6) (1998) The Sopranos (season 1) (1999)
2000s	The West Wing (season 1) (2000) The Sopranos (season 3) / The West Wing (season 2) (2001) Six Feet Under (season 1/season 2) (2002) Boomtown (season 1) (2003) The Sopranos (season 5) (2004) Lost (season 1) (2005) Lost (season 2) (2006) The Sopranos (season 6, part II) (2007) Mad Men (season 1) (2008) Mad Men (season 2) (2009)
2010s	Breaking Bad (season 3) / Lost (season 6) (2010) Mad Men (season 4) (2011) Breaking Bad (season 4) (2012) Game of Thrones (season 3) (2013) The Good Wife (season 5) (2014) The Americans (season 3) (2015) The Americans (season 4) (2016) The Handmaid's Tale (season 1) (2017) The Americans (season 6) (2018) Better Call Saul (season 4) (2019)
2020s	Succession (season 2) (2020) The Crown (season 4) (2021) Succession (season 3) (2022) Succession (season 4) (2023) Shōgun (season 1) (2024)

v t e Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama
1990s	Northern Exposure (season 1) (1991) I'll Fly Away (season 1) (1992) NYPD Blue (season 1) (1993) ER (season 1) (1994) No Award (1995) Law & Order (season 6) (1996) The Practice (season 2) (1998) The Sopranos (season 1) (1999)
2000s	The West Wing (season 1) (2000) The West Wing (season 2) (2001) 24 (season 1) (2002) Six Feet Under (season 2) (2003) The Sopranos (season 5) (2004) Lost (season 1) (2005) Grey's Anatomy (season 2) (2006) The Sopranos (season 6, part II) (2007) Mad Men (season 1) (2008) Mad Men (season 2) (2009)
2010s	Mad Men (season 3) (2010) Boardwalk Empire (season 1) (2011) Homeland (season 1) (2012) Breaking Bad (season 5, part I) (2013) Breaking Bad (season 5, part II) (2014) Game of Thrones (season 5) (2015) Stranger Things (season 1) (2016) The Handmaid's Tale (season 1) (2017) The Americans (season 6) (2018) Succession (season 2) (2019)
2020s	The Crown (season 4) (2020) Succession (season 3) (2021) The White Lotus (season 2) (2022) Succession (season 4) (2023)