Fanny Kemble is a famous star of the English stage, but while touring the United States, she gives up her career to marry wealthy American Pierce Butler. Moving with him from Philadelphia to his Georgia plantation, Fanny sees slavery firsthand, and her outrage leads her to help the family's slaves in open defiance of her spouse. Undaunted by the consequences, Fanny eventually writes a book that strengthens the anti-slavery movement.

Georgia, alrededores de 1846. Fanny Kremble, una actriz inglesa, se enamora del propietario de una plantación sureña. Aunque su amiga le avisa del tipo de hombre que puede llegar a ser, ella piensa que el amor lo puede todo y se casa.