What is Mercy Road?

Mercy Road is a feature film screenplay set in Louisiana and Southeast Texas, written by Maria Doctor Fernandez (“Doc”), in collaboration with grieving mother & grief/loss coach Marion M. Jones and her cancer-survivor daughter, Ta’Sha Douglas.

  • Disaster Drama

  • "Twisters"

  • When a major hurricane interrupts a swim coach’s suicide, she embarks on a dangerous and unexpected journey that saves her life—and makes her face her son’s killer.

    • What impact do storms play in our lives?

    • How can we rediscover peace after trauma and tragedy?

    • And what is the purpose, if ever, of extending mercy? 

    • grief & loss

    • mental illness

    • sports psychology

    • family

    • faith

    • forgiveness

    • justice

    • mercy

    • climate/weather disasters

Meet the Team

  • Doc

    SCREENWRITER & PRODUCER

    Maria "Doc" Doctor is a freelance filmmaker, screenwriter, and poet from Indiana. She's a USC's Cinema-TV production program, from which she graduated in 2008. She worked in the entertainment industry for several years before working in the documentary and nonprofit worlds and returning to the Midwest. Having come of age in a multicultural community and multi-faith upbringing, she creates worlds and explores characters with diverse backgrounds, relatable flaws, high stakes, and always comic relief.

    Learn more

  • MJ

    CO-WRITER & GRIEF EXPERT

    Marion M. Jones is a grief and loss expert and author, born in Maryland and living in L.A. Despite the loss of not one, but two of her young adult sons TJ and James (to gun violence and drunk driving), the threat of losing her daughter Ta'Sha to breast cancer, and becoming suicidal as a result, Marion made it through these trials and many more. In addition to Mercy Road, Marion now works with those who have lost a loved one and helps them regain joy, peace, and love back into their lives.

    Email Marion

  • TA'SHA

    CO-WRITER & CO-PRODUCER

    Ta'Sha Douglas, based in Los Angeles and originally from Washington, D.C., is a life coach, motivational speaker, community activist, and Cancer survivor. With acting experience and deep industry insight, she runs a successful coaching business. After losing both of her brothers, Ta'Sha became passionate about Mercy Road, dedicating herself to helping others heal and reach their full potential.

    Email Ta'Sha

“…Some people will never ask for forgiveness. And then you’re waiting, holding your breath for the rest of your life.”

— Mom

Next

TV pilot script