By JJ NATTRASS FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 14:09, 22 December 2015

 

Dustin Lance Black’s mini series, When We Rise, has officially been officially picked up by ABC after two years in development.

The eight hour mini-series focusing on the gay rights struggle in America, in the 20th Century, penned by the 41-year-old Oscar-winner is set to be put into production in 2016 by the channel.

According to Variety the confirmation of When We Rise will see Tom Daley’s fiancé reunited with director Gus Van Sant – who worked on Milk alongside Lance.

Following in the vein of Milk, which told the story of California’s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk, the show focuses on the political struggles of the LGBT community in the late 20th Century.

Chronicling the tale of a diverse family of activists in the 1960s and 70’s, When We Rise will focus on the groups pioneering work to conquer one of the last legs of the U.S. Civil Rights movement.

Lance, who is now engaged to British Olympic diver Tom, 21, has worked tirelessly as for marriage equality and gay rights.

Clearly excited by the news, Lance took to his Instagram last week and shared a snap of himself alongside Milk producer Bruce Cohen and civil rights campaigners Roma Guy, Ken Jones and Cleve Jones.

Pictured in San Francisco, the screen writer and director can be seen beaming in the picture – clearly delighted with the news from ABC.

He captioned: ‘Thanks for a great trip #SanFrancisco! With Producer Bruce Cohen and #SocialJustice heroes Roma Guy, Ken Jones and Cleve Jones. #WhenWeRise prep begins!’

Earlier this year, in October, Lance and Tom announced their engagement in The Times newspaper after dating for two years.