'AKA Jane Roe': Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about FX's documentary on Roe vs Wade

A new FX documentary will feature the story of the Jane Roe in the case, whom we now know as Norma McCorvey and will unravel the mysteries closely guarded by McCorvey throughout her life
Norma McCorvey (Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)
Norma McCorvey (Joe Raedle/Newsmakers)

The 1973 Roe vs Wade case was a landmark decision made by the Supreme Court that struck down a Texas statute banning abortion effectively legalizing the procedure across the United States. The court held that a woman’s right to an abortion was implicit in the right to privacy protected by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Prior to Roe v. Wade, abortion had been illegal throughout much of the country since the late 19th century. A new FX documentary will feature the story of the Jane Roe in the case, whom we now know as Norma McCorvey and will unravel the mysteries closely guarded by McCorvey throughout her life. Read on to know more details about the feature.

Release date

'AKA Jane Roe' will premiere on Friday, May 22, at 9 pm ET/PT on FX and will be available the following day on FX on Hulu.

Plot

The film follows the true story of McCorvey in the landmark ruling on abortion rights. The docu will feature her final series of interviews prior to her death and reveals the unvarnished truth behind her journey from pro-choice to pro-life and beyond – in what she calls her "deathbed confessions". Also featured are friends of McCorvey’s and key figures from both sides of the abortion fight. Considered too divisive and unpredictable by many in the pro-choice movement, McCorvey stunned the world in 1995 when she switched sides to crusade against her own case, as an anti-abortion firebrand. Norma McCorvey died of heart failure on February 18, 2017, at the age of 69. 

Director

Nick Sweeney

Nick Sweeney is an Australian producer and director who has brought important social issues to considerable worldwide audiences. is Channel 4 series 'Born in the Wrong Body' provided an emotional glimpse into the lives of transgender children aged 5 - 18. His debut TV documentary, 'Secrets of the Living Dolls' explored the never before seen female masking subculture, while his 2017 film 'The Sex Robots are Coming, focused on the ethical implications of robotic lovers.'

'AKA Jane Roe' is Sweeney's first feature documentary. He filmed with McCorvey in the final year of her life, as she revealed for the first time the unexpected truth behind her shocking journey. 

If you like this, you will love these:

'Reversing Roe'

'Seeing Allred'

'After Maria'

'Kingdom of Us'

'Evelyn'

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Evil Dead Burn’ delivers one last nightmare after the credits, bringing back a familiar name
4 hours ago
Warner Bros. is reviving a cherished classic, but fans may have to wait quite a while before it makes its way to the big screen
5 hours ago
The high-stakes thriller that dives into the lives of former CIA operatives haunted by a disastrous Afghanistan mission.
14 hours ago
The new 'Godzilla Minus Zero' trailer reveals the sequel's setting, returning cast, and humanity's desperate nuclear attack on Godzilla.
17 hours ago
Elliot Page’s casting in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ has sparked intense fan theories and online debate ahead of the film’s release.
20 hours ago
Duncan Idaho was featured in the Dune trilogy's first film as a skilled swordmaster who laid down his life to protect House Atreides.
22 hours ago
'Moana,' based on the 2016 animated movie of the same name, unites the past and present versions of the character in a unique way
22 hours ago
'The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen,' starring three OGs, will focus on four new girls going on an epic musical adventure
1 day ago
Connor Storrie saw a rise to fame after the success of the sports romance show, and now fans are wondering whether he was nominated for an Emmy.
1 day ago
'SOULM8TE' makes a bold comeback with a revamped release plan following the underwhelming box office performance of 'M3GAN 2'
1 day ago