HBO announced this week that Bessie, the Queen Latifah-starring biopic about legendary blues singer Bessie Smith, will debut in May. The film features an all-star cast that includes Mo’Nique and Mike Epps.
Latifah signed on to play the “Empress of Blues” in May 2014 and the film will chronicle smith’s rise from struggling young singer to one of the most popular singers of the 1920s.
The film was directed by Dee Rees (Pariah) and written by Rees with Christopher cleveland and Bettina Gilois. Executive producers include the late Richard D. Zanuck, Lili Fini Zanuck, Latifah, Shakim Compere, Shelbey Stone and Randi Michel. The producer is Ron Schmidt.
Latifah was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role in the 2002 Best Picture Oscar winner Chicago. She recently hosted her own daytime talk show and appeared in Lifetime’s TV remake of Steel Magnolias. She also voices Ellie in the Ice Age franchise.
Bessie’s supporting cast includes Oscar winner Mo’Nique, Epps, Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Tory Kittles, Tika Sumpter, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg and Charles S. Dutton.
Bessie debuts on HBO on Saturday, May 16 at 8 p.m.
image courtesy of Frank Masi/HBO
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