Black in Period Films

  I am so glad the live musicals on NBC are back! They've made some really great ones and I always enjoy watching them with my family. This time around we get to see one of my musical favorites, Annie!  The 7-time Tony Award-winning musical is coming to NBC as a LIVE event featuring an all-star cast this Thursday at 8/7c on NBC. Annie Live! stars little Celina Smith as Annie, Taraji P. Henson as Miss Hannigan, Tituss Burgess as Rooster Hannigan, Harry Connick, Jr. as Daddy Warbucks, Nicole Scherzinger as Grace Farrell,  and Megan Hilty as Lily St. Regis.

  In this newly released teaser trailer we get a nice look at Denée Benton as Peggy Scott and Audra McDonald as her mother Dorothy Scott. They don't say any lines but they do look intently at one another suggesting future juicy storylines. John Douglas Thompson will be her father, Arthur Scott.  Series Summary : The series begins in 1882 — introducing young Marian Brook, the orphaned daughter of a Union general, who moves into the New York City home of her thoroughly old money aunts Agnes van Rhijn and Ada Brook. Accompanied by Peggy Scott, an accomplished African-American woman, Marian inadvertently becomes enmeshed in a social war between one of her aunts, a scion of the old money set, and her stupendously rich neighbors, a ruthless railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife, George and Bertha Russell.

The ABC Limited Series Women Of The Movement premieres Thursday Jan 6 and Stream on Hulu. Based on the true story of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, Women of the Movement is a limited anthology series event coming to ABC. The first season will focus on Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till played by Adrienne Warren and Cedric Joe. The series also stars: Tonya Pinkins as Alma, Ray Fisher as Gene Mobley, Glynn Turman as Mose Wright, Chris Coy as J.W. Milam, Carter Jenkins as Roy Bryant and Julia McDermott as Carolyn Bryant.

  Here is the trailer for musical Cyrano. Summary: Cyrano de Bergerac dazzles everyone with his ferocious wordplay and brilliant swordplay. However, he's convinced his appearance renders him unworthy of the affections of the luminous Roxanne, a devoted friend who's in love with someone else (Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Christian de Neuvillette). Cyrano is a classic that has been adapted numerous times and in many different ways. I look forward to this adaption because Joe Wright is directing the film. Joe Wright directed Atonement (2007), Pride and Prejudice (2005), and Anna Karenina (2012) which are all period films that I've seen and enjoyed; specifically Atonement and Pride and Prejudice. I am also interested in this adaption of the Cyrano story because the casting of Peter Dinklage and Kelvin Harrison Jr. adds additional layers to the story.  The cast includes Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Bashir Salahuddin, and Ben Mendelsohn. In theaters this December

  Good news from the adaption world!! Esi Edugyan's historical adventure novel is being adapted by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds into a nine episode limited television series.  Hulu has just given a limited-series order to an upcoming adventure series, Washington Black, based on the international best-selling novel from Esi Edugyan, The Root has learned. Per a press release, the nine-episode series will star This Is Us’ Sterling K. Brown, who has also been tapped to executive produce alongside Selwyn Sefyu Hinds, who will be responsible for adapting the the show. Washington Black tells the tale of the extraordinary 19th-century adventures of George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation who must flee after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. Sterling K. Brown is starring as the outgoing, larger-than-life Medwin Harris; Washington’s mentor. Medwin Harris has an interesting background of his own. He traveled the world after his traumatic childhood a

  Check out Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Edi Gathegi, Danielle Deadwyler and Deon Cole in this action-packed thrill ride that injects New Blood into the Old West. Gunning for revenge, outlaw Nat Love saddles up with his gang to take down enemy Rufus Buck, a ruthless crime boss who just got sprung from prison. The Harder They Fall is directed by Jeymes Samuel and produced by Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter James Lassiter, Jeymes Samuel and Lawrence Bender. On Netflix November 3

  After nearly three years the Tony Awards are finally back! This 2020/2021 award season had some big wins for the period productions that I was rooting for.  As always this award show wrap up will specifically focus on the projects that have black characters (both main and side) and are set in the past. These productions include Moulin Rouge!, Tina, A Soldier's Play, and A Christmas Carol. Categories that did not include these productions are not listed below.  Best Musical Moulin Rouge! (Winner) Jagged Little Pill Tina   Best Revival of a Play A Soldier's Play (Winner) Betrayal Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune   Best Book of a Musical Diablo Cody – Jagged Little Pill (WINNER) John Logan – Moulin Rouge! Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, and Kees Prins – Tina   Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play Andrew Burnap – The Inheritance as Toby Darling (WINNER) Ian Barford – Linda Vista as Wheeler Jake Gyllenhaal – Sea Wall/A Life as Abe Tom Hiddleston – Betrayal as

       Adapted from the celebrated 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, PASSING tells the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Academy Award nominee Ruth Negga), who can “pass” as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in late 1920s New York. After a chance encounter reunites the former childhood friends one summer afternoon, Irene reluctantly allows Clare into her home, where she ingratiates herself to Irene’s husband (André Holland) and family, and soon her larger social circle as well.      As their lives become more deeply intertwined, Irene finds her once-steady existence upended by Clare, and PASSING becomes a riveting examination of obsession, repression and the lies people tell themselves and others to protect their carefully constructed realities. Written and Directed by: Rebecca Hall Watch Passing, only on Netflix.

  An adaption of the William Shakespeare classic. After being convinced by three witches, a Scottish Lord sets out to become the King of Scotland.  From writer/director Joel Coen and starring Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Corey Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, and Harry Melling. The Tragedy of Macbeth – In Theaters December 25. Streaming on Apple TV+ January 14.

     The upcoming biopic about musical legend Whitney Houston titled, ‘I Wanna   Dance With Somebody’ is shaping up. Months ago, they found their Whitney in British actress Naomi Ackie (Small Axe, Lady Macbeth). The production now has their Bobby Brown in Ashton Sanders; according to a Deadline exclusive. Ashton has been in period films Straight Outta Compton, Moonlight, and Judas and the Black Messiah.      Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou, Talk to Me, Harriet) joined the project after Stella Meghie left the film as director.   Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (The Theory Of Everything, Bohemian Rhapsody) is writing the screenplay.      Whitney Houston’s life has been brought to television with the 2015 Lifetime film, Whitney. The Angela Basset-directed film starred Yaya Dacosta as Whitney Houston and Arlen Escarpeta as Bobby Brown.

Sony Pictures Television’s TriStar has a television series based on the life of Malcolm X in the works.   If the project moves forward, the series will be based on two novels which were both co-written by Malcolm’s daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz. The novels are X: A Novel which was co-written by Kekla Magoon and The Awakening of Malcolm X, which was co-written by Tiffany D. Jackson. X: A Novel follows Malcolm X’s life from his childhood to his imprisonment at age twenty. The Awakening of Malcolm X follows Malcolm’s time in prison, his decision to join the Nation of Islam, and his leaving prison as Malcolm X. Ilyasah Shabazz is an activist and motivational speaker. Shabazz has written six books including: Growing Up X: A Memoir by the Daughter of Malcolm X. with Kim McLarin Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X. The Diary of Malcolm X: 1964. X: A Novel. with Kekla Magoon Betty Before X. with Renée Watson The Awakening of Malcolm X. with Tiffany D. Jackson Ilyasah Shab

The Wonder Years reboot now has a premier date and time!! The series begins its story on Wednesday, September 22 at 8:30 p.m. The series comes from executive producers Saladin Patterson, Fred Savage, and Lee Daniels. As with the original series starring Savage, this version is a different take on a coming-of-age story.  Here is a trailer for the ABC series. Elisha Williams is playing the lead Dean Williams, Dulé Hill is his father Bill Williams, Saycon Sengbloh is his mother Lillian Williams, and Laura Kariuki is Dean’s older sister Kim Williams. Milan Ray can be briefly  seen in the trailer and will star as Keisa Clemmons. Don Cheadle is the narrator who recounts young Dean’s experiences growing up in Montgomery, Alabama during the late-1960s. The series begins on Wednesday, September 22 at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. 

We finally have the teaser trailer for the much anticipated western, The Harder They Fall!! From Netflix: When outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck (Idris Elba) is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally.  Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose.  Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel, and featuring a red hot soundtrack and a stunning all-star cast, including Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, L

There has been a lot of talk amongst the Jane Austen fandom about the latest adaption of Jane Austen's 1817 novel Persuasion. The Netflix adaption is being described as a "modern, witty" retelling of the Jane Austen classic Persuasion. The latest bit of news from the Persuasion set features actress Nikki Amuka-Bird. Although her role hasn't yet been disclosed, many believe she will be playing the character Lady Russell. Dakota Johnson is leading the film as Anne Elliot.  Nikki Amuka-Bird can be seen wearing a purple pelisse with a velvet beret light draped across her beautiful natural hair. Lady Russell is Anne's godmother and close friends with her late mother. The nice pelisse makes sense for the character as Lady Russel is the wealthy widow of a titled gentleman. Although Lady Russell does make some iffy choices (in the book) and I am eager to see if Nikki Amuka-Bird is actually playing her. 

Based on the true story of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, Women of the Movement is a limited anthology series event coming to ABC. The first season of this anthology will focus on Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till played by Adrienne Warren and Cedric Joe. After her 14 year old son's murder in 1955, Mamie Till-Mobley risks her life to find justice. Mamie became an activist and fighter for justice when she choose to share her loss and pain on the world stage. Mamie-Till Mobley and the open casket viewing the sparked the civil rights movement. The series also stars Tonya Pinkins as Alma, Ray Fisher as Gene Mobley, Glynn Turman as Mose Wright, Chris Coy as J.W. Milam, Carter Jenkins as Roy Bryant and Julia McDermott as Carolyn Bryant.

  From Executive Producers Saladin Patterson, Fred Savage, and Lee Daniels comes the next great coming of age story. The Wonder Years is coming to ABC.  Elisha Williams is playing the lead Dean Williams, Dulé Hill is his father Bill Williams, Saycon Sengbloh is his mother Lillian Williams, and Laura Kariuki is Dean’s older sister Kim Williams. Young actress Milan Ray is seen in the trailer and will star as Keisa Clemmons. Don Cheadle is the narrator who recalls his experiences growing up in Montgomery, Alabama during the late-1960s.

The cast for Tyler Perry’s new Netflix film A Jazzman’s Blues has come together with the announcement of addition actors. The cast includes previously announced leads Joshua Boone and Solea Pfeiffer. New cast members include Amirah Vann, Austin Scott, Milauna Jackson, Kario Marcel, Lana Young, Brent Antonello, Brad Benedict, and Ryan Eggold.  A Jazzman’s Blues is written and directed by Perry. The film follows forty years of secrets and lies in a tale of forbidden love and family drama in the deep South. Perry has said that this project is especially special to him as this was the first screenplay Perry wrote 26 years ago. Perry commented on the film saying: “I have waited a quarter of a century to tell this story and now is the perfect time and Netflix is the perfect partner.” A Jazzman’s Blues began shooting this week in Savannah, Georgia and at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. It’s currently set for a 2022 release on Netflix.

  “Nothing was given, all was earned. Hold on to what belongs to you.” From Academy Award® winner Barry Jenkins and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead comes the Amazon Original limited series “The Underground Railroad”. The Underground Railroad is a historical fiction novel by American author Colson Whitehead published by Doubleday in 2016. The alternate history novel tells the story of Cora and Caesar, two slaves in the southeastern United States during the 19th century, who make a bid for freedom from their Georgia plantation by following the Underground Railroad, which the novel depicts as primarily a rail transport system in addition to a series of safe houses and secret routes. I am really looking forward to this series. I read the book and enjoyed the unique concept and I plan on doing a podcast recap of the series. I want to breakdown the similarities and  differences  between the novel and series. I had so many thoughts about the novel so I'm sure

Mabel "Madea" Earlene Simmons a character created and played by Tyler Perry is getting her own origin story on Showtime.  The series idea for a Madea origin story was created by Tyler Perry and Tim Palen. The series, titled Mabel is being developed by Showtime. Mabel has received a multiple-script order and will be written by JaNeika James and JaSheika James. The pair have been staff writers and supervising producers on Empire. Mabel will follow Madea as a 20-something black woman 1972’s Atlanta, Georgia. The series title Mabel comes for Madea's real name Mabel Simmons.   Admittedly, I am a bit weary of how this series could turn out. However, there is a bigger part of me that wants to see how Madea's life is handled. We know quite a bit about Madea. According to the internet Madea was born in Greensburg, Louisiana on June 26, 1935. Madea is known for her many outrageous claims throughout her various stage, film, and television appearances. One such claim being that

     Showtime has a drama series about Zulu King Shaka in the works!  Antoine Fuqua is onboard to direct and executive produce. Besides directing Training Day (the 2001 film that earned Denzel Washington an Academy Award for Best Actor), Fuqua has also period films like King Arthur (2004) and The Magnificent Seven (2016).      Writers and executive producers Olu Odebunmi and Tolu Awosika are two of the creative minds behind “Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation”. The series will be rooted in actual events chronicling “Shaka’s unlikely rise to power, uniting multiple tribes across vast stretches of Africa in the early 19th century to transform his power into legend, on par with history’s most seminal figures”.      Fuqua said, “This project offers a gateway to our past that is so critical to our global history and yet so often marginalized,” he added, “Through “Shaka: King of the Zulu Nation,” we hope to bring this saga to life, all the tears, sweat and blood, all the joy and sorrow, all

 The trailer for Season 2 of the EPIX series Godfather of Harlem is here! All is fair in chess and war. The next chapter of Godfather of Harlem begins. Season 2 of Godfather of Harlem premieres April 18 on EPIX. Godfather of Harlem Season 2 finds Bumpy Johnson battling the New York Crime Families for control of the lucrative and murderous “French Connection,” the pipeline for heroin that runs from Marseilles to New York Harbor. With a distribution syndicate that includes black crime bosses from other major U.S. cities, Bumpy takes a cue from his friend Malcolm X’s message of black economic nationalism. His ambitious plan will face challenges from not only the Italians but his wife Mayme, daughter Elise, rival Adam Clayton Powell, prosecutor Robert Morgenthau, and even Malcolm himself. Once again, Godfather of Harlem explores the collision of the criminal underworld and civil rights in the colorful, tumultuous year of 1964.

Winston Duke is set to play Marcus Garvey in an Amazon Studios film, titled “Marked Man”. The film is in part inspired by the biography, “Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey,” written by Colin Grant. Nigerian filmmaker Andrew Dosunmu will direct and executive produce the film. Jesse Williams and DeWanda Wise are also in talks to star in the film.  Summary : Set in the 1920s, “Marked Man” follows a young black man who joins J. Edgar Hoover’s Bureau of Investigation, and then infiltrates Marcus Garvey’s UNIA organization, testing his loyalty to both race and country as he grows weary of both men’s actions. Marcus Garvey (August 17, 1887 – June 10, 1940) was a key figure of Black nationalism in the 20th century. 

Series Summary : In the last years of Victoria’s reign, London is beset by the “Touched”: people — mostly women — who suddenly manifest abnormal abilities, some charming, some very disturbing. Among them are Amalia True (Laura Donnelly), a mysterious, quick-fisted widow, and Penance Adair (Ann Skelly), a brilliant young inventor. They are the champions of this new underclass, making a home for the Touched, while fighting the forces of… well, pretty much all the forces — to make room for those whom history as we know it has no place. There are four black actors who are credited on the IMDB page; three of them named and seen in the trailer. Rochelle Neil plays the role of Annie Carbey (aka Bonfire), a career criminal with the ability to control fire who came up rough and stayed that way. Zackary Momoh portrays Doctor Horatio Cousens , a successful West Indian physician whose fortunes took a dark turn when he met Amalia and discovered his own ability, but now works with her and the other

 I think this is an amazing casting. Just see for yourself! Raven Goodwin has been chosen to play Hattie McDaniel, the legendary actress who was the first African American to ever win an Oscar; for her role as Mammy in 1939’s Gone With the Wind. The biopic will be called Behind the Smile. I think its an apt name because I have always loved Hattie McDaniel's smile. Additionally, I'm quite positive McDaniel had to hide a lot of her feelings behind her smile. Her acting career options were limited and she faced many injustices. But, she preserved and became a legend in the process. I look forward to seeing her story brought to screen.  Jami McCoy-Lankford of Hillionaire Productions and Global Genesis Group is producing the indie film. Regarding the casting of Raven Goodwin McCoy-Lankford said, “Raven Goodwin is such a phenomenal talent and a gift to this project. In our first meeting on Zoom, she already showed the kind of passion that is befitting such a complex and iconic charac