Skip to Navigation
TV Video Library: Interviews and Video Clips – Archive of American Television
  • A program of the Television Academy Foundation

Capturing Television History, One Voice At A Time

Home › Shows

Raisin in the Sun, A

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

About This Show

A Raisin in the Sun is a 2008 television movie directed by Kenny Leon. The teleplay by Paris Qualles is based on the award-winning 1959 play of the same name by Lorraine Hansberry. The film debuted at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was broadcast by ABC on February 25, 2008. According to Nielsen Media Research, the program was watched by 12.7 million viewers and ranked #9 in the ratings for the week ending March 2, 2008.[1]

Plot synopsis

Set in 1959, the story focuses on the Youngers, an African American family living on Chicago's South Side. They're anticipating a life insurance check for Lena's husband's death in the amount of $10,000, and each of them has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this money. Matriarch Lena wants to buy a house to fulfill the dream she shared with her deceased husband. Walter Lee would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store, believing the income would put an end to the family’s financial woes. His wife Ruth, wanting to provide more space and better opportunities for their son Travis, agrees with Lena. Beneatha would like to use the money to pay her medical school tuition.

More...

People Who Talked About This Show

  • Phylicia Rashad

Resources

Links:

A Raisin in the Sun on IMDb.

Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun unabridged 25th Anniversary at Internet Archive.

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.

Watch Interview Highlights

  • Phylicia Rashad on the television movie A Raisin in the Sun and winning the Tony Award for the stage revival
  • Phylicia Rashad on her character from A Raisin in the Sun, “Lena Younger”

People Talking About This Show

  • Phylicia Rashad
    • Clip: 1
    • Clip: 2

  • Home
  • Interviews
    • People
    • Shows
    • Topics
    • Professions
  • About The Archive
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Search

Bookmark and Share

Follow Us

twitter facebook Follow Us

Academy of American Television

Interactive Media Award Winner 2010

Academy of American Television
  • Home
  • The Interviews
  • Advanced Search
  • Blog
  • License Our Clips
  • Terms of Service
  • Transcripts
  • Copyright Policy
  • Emmys.tv
  • Emmysfoundation.org
  • About The Archive
© 1995-2010 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation All Rights Reserved Emmy and The Emmy Statuette are the trademark property of ATAS/NATAS