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PBS has announced the new documentary series CITIZEN NATION, set to premiere Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings), PBS.org, and the PBS App. The four-part program is an inspiring coming-of-age story that follows teenagers from across the U.S. with diverse personal and political backgrounds as they come together to compete in the nation’s premier civics competition, “We the People.”
The series shadows high school students over ten months across eight states as they grapple with critical questions about democracy. As the students rise through regional and state competitions, responding to judges’ challenges in the style of Congressional hearings, they reveal their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution and politics, and wrestle with what it means to be a citizen today. Along the way, this new generation discovers what it means to show up, be civil and tackle some big issues straight on. The series culminates in a championship showdown in the nation’s capital.
“CITIZEN NATION captures Gen Z’s brightest as they vie for championship glory,” said Margaret Ebrahim, Senior Director, Programming & Development, General Audience Programming at PBS. “We are honored to elevate the voices of these inspiring students, as they demonstrate resilience and grace amidst today’s political environment.”
“This was an amazing opportunity to capture a portrait of daily life of teenagers all across the country,” said Kyra Darnton, Executive Producer of Retro Report’s CITIZEN NATION. “Our journalists were embedded in their lives for months, and that gave us the opportunity to understand the issues they are confronting today and how they are thinking about the future.”
A brief overview of each one-hour episode:
EPISODE 1: CITIZEN NATION “Chasing Victory”
Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 9–10 p.m. ET
The premiere episode introduces contestants as they begin the school year. Two teams from Wyoming embody the state’s independent spirit. A Las Vegas team includes students whose families are recent immigrants from Nigeria, Thailand, and the Philippines. Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in Richmond, VA, is the defending national champion and the team to beat.
EPISODE 2: CITIZEN NATION “In the Fray”
Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 9–10 p.m. ET
In Episode 2, the pressure heats up. One contestant from Virginia becomes eligible to vote in an election where his father, the coach of a rival team, is a candidate. Students on a West Virginia team confront fallout from poverty and opioid addiction in their community yet remain steadfast in their hope of attending college. A Las Vegas team must overcome grief and persevere after a deadly shooting rampage at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
EPISODE 3: CITIZEN NATION “The Hustle”
Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9–10 p.m. ET
In Episode 3, stakes are high as teams across the country prepare for their state competitions; only the winning teams will advance to Washington, D.C. Balancing deeply personal challenges, and tricky team dynamics, star students from Wyoming, Nevada, and Virginia push themselves to the limits. A strong new contender emerges from Wauwatosa, WI – If the team can survive a competition derailed by a blizzard.
EPISODE 4: CITIZEN NATION “Agree to Disagree”
Finale: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 9–10 p.m. ET
The series wraps up at a thrilling championship showdown in the heart of Washington, D.C. Finalists are firing on all cylinders, giddy and nervous and dressed to the nines as they prepare to be challenged by contest judges. A winner is crowned.
For more information on CITIZEN NATION, including screeners and images, visit the PBS PressRoom.
CITIZEN NATION is a Retro Report Production. The Series Creator is Bret Sigler. The Director is Singeli Agnew. The Supervising Producer is Veronika Adaskova. Executive Producers are Kyra Darnton and Christopher Buck. Executive in charge for PBS is Margaret Ebrahim.
Funding for CITIZEN NATION was provided by Bank of America, Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund Inc, Annenberg Foundation, the Rogovy Foundation, Dr. Michelle Lubetzky and Mr. Daniel Lubetzky, and the Ettinger Foundation Inc.
