Planned Parenthood on New Dramedy ‘Unexpected’

NEW YORK, NY — On July 24, the critically acclaimed film Unexpected will open in theaters, on demand, and on iTunes. This funny and heartfelt film premiered at the exclusive Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) collaborated on the film in the writing and production stages to ensure that it accurately and sensitively handled issues related to unintended pregnancy and pregnancy options.

“Honest portrayals of women’s decisions around pregnancy in film and television are extremely rare, and that’s part of a much bigger lack of honest depictions of women’s lives, health, and sexuality,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “This film is a breakthrough — not just because it shows how different women in different circumstances navigate an unintended pregnancy, but because it shows a teenager making the decision to become a parent despite the stigma and obstacles that she and other young parents so often face.”

Unexpected stars Cobie Smulders, best known for How I Met Your Mother and The Avengers films, as Samantha Abbott, an inner-city high school teacher who discovers she is pregnant at the same time as one of her most promising students, Jasmine (played by newcomer Gail Bean). Both women decide to continue their pregnancies and have children, and the two develop an unlikely friendship while struggling to navigate their unexpected pregnancies.

Director Kris Swanberg said, "Planned Parenthood is an invaluable resource for women across the United States.  As a teenager and young woman, I knew that Planned Parenthood was a safe place I could go to find information that I needed without judgment. Now as a grown woman going through my second pregnancy, I still use their resources to educate myself and my family.  I could not be happier for their support during the production of Unexpected."

Star of the film Gail Bean added, “As a teen, I know how important it is to have the resources and information I need to make the best decisions I can about my reproductive health. Planned Parenthood is there for teens to help them reach their goals and stay in school and to provide support for pregnant and parenting teens, and for that I'm grateful.”

In recent years, films like Unexpected and Obvious Child have challenged stigma and changed the conversation around how women’s decisions are viewed by society and the entertainment industry. These stories highlight that every woman’s situation is unique, and every woman’s decision about her pregnancy — whether to parent, choose adoption, or have an abortion — should be respected and valued.

Caren Spruch, senior advisor of arts and entertainment engagement at PPFA, said, “Unexpected is an honest story about how two women in very different situations decide to parent. It highlights the need for all women to have full, accurate information about their options so that they can make the best decision about their pregnancy. We’re thrilled to be involved with the film’s production and promotion.”

Watch the film’s trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9ANgqpiIzU.

###

Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With approximately 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.