WATERTOWN, NY (October 1, 2024) – CITIZEN NATION, a new a four-part program from PBS, 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 innovative new documentary series premieres Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 9 pm on WPBS-TV.
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.”
EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS
“Chasing Victory” (Tuesday, Oct. 8, 9-10 pm) 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.
“In the Fray” (Tuesday, Oct. 15, 9–10 pm) 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.
“The Hustle” (Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9–10 pm) 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.
“Agree to Disagree” (Tuesday, Oct. 29, 9–10 pm) 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.
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., the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, the Rogovy Foundation, Dr. Michelle Lubetzky and Mr. Daniel Lubetzky, and the Ettinger Foundation Inc.
About Retro Report
Retro Report is an Emmy Award-wining nonprofit newsroom dedicated to producing documentary journalism and educational resources. Retro Report has produced two prime-time television series for PBS and Vice TV, and has been recognized with 10 Emmy Award nominations, 14 Edward R. Murrow Awards, Mirror Awards, 12 Webbys, a Gerald Loeb Award and others. Feature-length documentaries include the Emmy-nominated “Enemies of the People” and, for FRONTLINE, “Crisis on Campus,” “Facing Eviction” and “American Reckoning,” which was nominated for a 2023 Peabody Award. Retro Report has created more than 300 short documentaries in partnership with The New York Times, the New Yorker, PBS NewsHour, Independent Lens, Scientific American and many others. Retro Report educational resources reach about 30,000 teachers a month.
About PBS
PBS, with more than 330 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 36 million adults on linear primetime television, more than 16 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, 53 million viewers on YouTube, and 60 million people view PBS content on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV — including a PBS KIDS channel — and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games on the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, Facebook, Instagram, or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Communications on X.
About WPBS
WPBS is a PBS station serving approximately 600,000 households throughout Northern New York and Eastern Ontario via cable, satellite, Internet and over-the-air distribution. WPBS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and inspire diverse communities with exceptional and trusted content across multiple platforms. Its vision is to be the premier provider of relevant public service media that instills wonder and curiosity across generations and cultures. More information about WPBS, including a full channel listing, is available at wpbstv.org, or by following WPBS on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. Download the free WPBS Mobile App to follow WPBS on the go.
