Breaking New Ground, a debuting Max original series, is ready to invite viewers into the world of home renovation and demolition, bringing new life into a home that begs to have its history rewritten. Breaking New Ground stars Robert Hartwell (Memphis The Musical, Wheeling Dealing) as he journeys to reconcile a 200-year plantation-style home as a gay black man in America.
The official logline from Max states that “Breaking New Ground follows Broadway performer, entrepreneur, and educator Robert Hartwell as he takes on the challenge of transforming a 200-year-old house with a complicated history into a home filled with love. It’s a renovation story that celebrates the resilience of Robert’s journey as well as those who came before him.”
The official press release also included a trailer for the new show, teasing the trials and tribulations of restoring such a large, historic home. Hartwell shares that the house was built in 1820 when slavery was legal in most American states. Stepping into the home, Hartwell reckons with its history, knowing that in the past, some rooms he would not even be allowed to step into. Hartwell boasts that this project “holds a beauty to wake up the space” and features clips of the immense work poured into the project. Hartwell is taking back the narrative that’s etched into the home, making it a space where friends and family feel welcome and a place he feels proud to call home.
According to Max, the show is produced by the Oprah Winfrey Network and Scott Brothers Entertainment. Hosting and executive producing is Hartwell, along with Jonathan Scott (Property Brothers: Forever Home, Brother vs. Brother), Drew Scott (Property Brothers: Forever Home, Brother vs. Brother), Damani Baker (The House on Coco Road, Still Bill), Jane Van Deuren (Property Brothers: Forever Home, Brother vs. Brother) and Josie Crimi (Property Brothers: Forever Home, Making It Home with Kortney & Kenny) joining as executive producers.
Max announced that the original series will premiere on Thursday, June 27th, and new episodes will be released weekly through Thursday, August 1st.