'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

A father’s grief after a car crash sparks a revenge battle that threatens to destroy two families.
3 hours ago
Searchlight’s sequel will revisit the Stone family two decades after the 2005 holiday film.
8 hours ago
Steven Knight shares a key update on the next James Bond movie as casting speculation around the new 007 continues.
1 day ago
Andrew Garfield stars in 'The Uprising' inspired by England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, with the film drawing unexpected links to Robin Hood.
1 day ago
‘Hawaii Five-O’ was a CBS television drama that ran for 12 seasons before a reboot was released in 2010
1 day ago
Aidan Quinn played Gary Hallet, Sally’s love interest, in the original film, which was released in 1998
1 day ago
Marvel has scheduled the upcoming film’s theatrical release for May 5, 2028
1 day ago
The sequel traded Washington for a UK production base, while the original movie's Coupeville landmarks continue to draw fans.
2 days ago
‘Practical Magic 2’ starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, released in the US on September 10
2 days ago
‘The Italian Job’ starring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron, released in 2003, earned a whopping $176 million worldwide
2 days ago