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Series · 1991 – 1993 · Drama

I'll Fly Away

In a Time of Change, Some Values Never Go Out Of Style.

★7.5 1991 – 1993 3 Seasons John Falsey TV-MA

I'll Fly Away is an American drama television series set during the late 1950s and early 1960s, 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, whose name is an ironic reference to Nathan Bedford Forrest, the founder of the Ku Klux Klan. As the show progressed, Lilly became increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement, with events eventually drawing in Forrest as well. I'll Fly Away won two 1992 Emmy Awards, 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. 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.

Seasons & episodes

3 seasons · 39 episodes

I'll Fly Away (Pilot)

Episode 01

I'll Fly Away (Pilot)

Oct 7, 1991 · 60 min

Lawyer Forrest Bedford struggles to raise a family amid the civil-rights strife of the 1958 South, aided by Lily, a lack housekeeper who comes to work in the opener to find Forrest prosecuting a young white for a bus accident that killed three black; and little John Morgan missing his hospitalized mama.

The Hat

Episode 02

The Hat

Oct 8, 1991 · 60 min

When John Morgan loses his cowboy hat out of the car window, Lilly finds it—but then so does her daughter—-while Forrest faces verbal cross-fire over a beating case arising from the demonstration.

Rules of the Game

Episode 03

Rules of the Game

Oct 15, 1991 · 60 min

With Forrest away on a weekend hunting trip, womanhood takes aim at Francie, who feels utterly alone; while worries about the fate of an errant arrow dog, John Morgan.

Amazing Grace

Episode 04

Amazing Grace

Oct 22, 1991 · 60 min

As Forrest joins the race for attorney general, Lilly considers attending a voting-rights meetings, while Francie elects to overcome her writer's block by committing a betrayal.

All God's Children

Episode 05

All God's Children

Oct 29, 1991 · 60 min

John Morgan is upset when he doesn't get to go to Lilly's birthday party; the wrestlers aren't celebrating Zollicofer's decision to let a black join the team; Forrest realizes running for office isn't going to be a piece of cake.

Beyond Here Dar Be Dragons

Episode 06

Beyond Here Dar Be Dragons

Nov 5, 1991 · 60 min

On Halloween, the specter of the KKK haunts Christina as she's asked to investigate Prevtiss Carver's death. It also haunts John Morgan, who's heard about the ""dragon men"" from Adlaine.

Parallel Lives

Episode 07

Parallel Lives

Nov 19, 1991 · 60 min

Slocum wrestles with his conscience—-and with-–Evans as Zollicfer applies pressure over the brick-throwing incident; Lilly balks when Lewis, wanting to relive his time in the Negro Leagues, takes his eyes off the ball at home.

Coming Home

Episode 08

Coming Home

Nov 26, 1991 · 60 min

Thanksgiving brings family—and conflict—home: Gwen's visit from the mental hospital knocks the stuffing out of the Bedfords, especially Nathan; and Lilly's brother makes a pilgrimage home after discovering the New World of the North.

Some Desperate Glory

Episode 09

Some Desperate Glory

Dec 10, 1991 · 60 min

A game of checkers turns deadly serious for Nathan and Slocum; Lilly helps Francie, who's afraid she'll lay an egg singing in the church benefit.

Desire

Episode 10

Desire

Dec 17, 1991 · 60 min

Lilly expresses a burning desire to divorce her absent husband; sparks fly between Nathan and a carnival worker; Forrest's arrest of an upstanding citizen in the McDaniel murder adds fuel to the fire against him, which licks at John Morgan.

Alice Oakley Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Episode 11

Alice Oakley Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Jan 7, 1992 · 60 min

John Morgan makes up a tall tale about his absent mother joining the rodeo; as the trial approaches, Forrest lassos a witness and then tightens the rope; Slocum's father brands his son a loser and kicks him out of the house.

On the Road

Episode 12

On the Road

Feb 28, 1992 · 60 min

On a campaign swing, Forrest lobbies for the affections of a difficult Francie, while Lilly faces a difficult test registering to vote.

Master Magician

Episode 13

Master Magician

Mar 6, 1992 · 60 min

As Election Day nears, John Morgan plans a post-victory show, but Forrest isn't sure he can pull a win out of his hat in his race for attorney general. He's facing a blackmail threat from a drunken Tyler. Meanwhile, Lilly's determination to vote remains unabated, even after her faith is tested by the opposition of her minister. But discrimination at the polling place makes that step forward seems more like an illusion.

Hard Lessons

Episode 14

Hard Lessons

Mar 13, 1992 · 60 min

Forrest faces a test in courage when some of the townsfolk decide to teach him a lesson; Nathan is eager to learn why Forrest and Lake had a falling-out; and Lilly enrolls in night school.

Cool Winter Blues

Episode 15

Cool Winter Blues

Mar 20, 1992 · 60 min

An impromptu lunch-counter protest leads to a more serious demonstration; Lilly has to chew out John Morgan and an unruly friend; Nathan, stunned by a revelation about his girlfriend, wishes he could eat his words after Slocum repeals them to her.

The Way Things Are

Episode 16

The Way Things Are

Mar 27, 1992 · 60 min

Forrest is shocked when Rev. Henry's latest protest sparks Lilly to action; Nathan and Diane's status as a couple generates charged comments; John Morgan fools with electricity.

Slow Dark Coming

Episode 17

Slow Dark Coming

Apr 3, 1992 · 60 min

Diane's father tries to put a damper on her and Nathan's passions; racial tensions heat up with the department-store boycott, leaving Lilly's cousin Oscar out in the cold.

Toy Soldiers

Episode 18

Toy Soldiers

Apr 10, 1992 · 60 min

Not realizing how deep town sentiment runs, Lilly and Forrest learn fast after witnessing a police attack on black children; tucker robs the cradle with Forrests' young campaign worker; Francie behaves childishly after being asked to walk John Morgan to school.

The Kindness of Strangers

Episode 19

The Kindness of Strangers

Apr 24, 1992 · 60 min

Lilly finds herself in time with a visiting sax player; a frustrated Forrest wants someone to face the music about his incompetent opposing counsel in a murder trial; Slocum is jazzed to find Zollicofer in town, trying to get his job back.

Not Buried

Episode 20

Not Buried

May 1, 1992 · 60 min

John Morgan tries to put to rest his guilt and fear over an elderly neighbor's passing; Forrest asks Christina to step in to save the dying defense of a black man accused of murder.

A Dangerous Comfort

Episode 21

A Dangerous Comfort

May 15, 1992 · 60 min

Lilly feels no pain when she's with Clarence, but Lewis isn't as intoxicated by his presence; Christina faces her own demons helping alcoholic tucker dry out; Nathan keeps his anger bottled up after catching Forrest in a compromising position.

The Slightest Distance

Episode 22

The Slightest Distance

May 15, 1992 · 60 min

Forrest ponders an offer for a challenging job; Lilly tries to make peace between her father and Clarence, who asks her to make a life-changing decision; Nathan sees something he shouldn't; and Slocum saves his mother's birthday party.

About the series

I'll Fly Away poster
Audience score
★ 7.5 /10

based on 6 votes

Synopsis

I'll Fly Away is an American drama television series set during the late 1950s and early 1960s, 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, whose name is an ironic reference to Nathan Bedford Forrest, the founder of the Ku Klux Klan. As the show progressed, Lilly became increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement, with events eventually drawing in Forrest as well. I'll Fly Away won two 1992 Emmy Awards, 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. 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.

Drama

Cast

8 principal cast

Sam Waterston

Sam Waterston

Forrest Bedford

Regina Taylor

Regina Taylor

Lilly Harper

Jeremy London

Jeremy London

Nathaniel 'Nathan' Bedford

Ashlee Levitch

Ashlee Levitch

Francie Bedford

John Aaron Bennett

John Morgan Bedford

Peter Simmons

Paul Slocum

Kathryn Harrold

Kathryn Harrold

Christina LeKatzis

Bill Cobbs

Bill Cobbs

Lewis Coleman

Where to watch I'll Fly Away

I'll Fly Away is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The drama from John Falsey, Joshua Brand has 3 seasons and 39 total episodes, rated 7.5/10 by 6 viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does I'll Fly Away have?

I'll Fly Away has 3 seasons with 39 episodes in total.

Is I'll Fly Away still on the air?

I'll Fly Away has ended and is no longer in production.

What network airs I'll Fly Away?

I'll Fly Away airs on NBC.

When did I'll Fly Away first air?

I'll Fly Away first aired on October 7, 1991.

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