The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (film)
| The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | George C. Wolfe |
| Produced by |
Alan Ball Carla Gardini Peter Macdissi Lydia Dean Pilcher Oprah Winfrey |
| Screenplay by | George C. Wolfe |
| Based on |
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot |
| Starring |
Oprah Winfrey Rose Byrne Renée Elise Goldsberry Courtney B. Vance Reg E. Cathey Ruben Santiago-Hudson Leslie Uggams |
| Cinematography | Sofian El Fani |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | HBO |
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is an upcoming drama television film directed by George C. Wolfe and starring Oprah Winfrey. It is based on the book of the same name by Rebecca Skloot and documents the story of Henrietta Lacks, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer in the 1950s, and whose cancer cells would change the course of cancer treatment.
Cast
- Oprah Winfrey as Deborah Lacks
- Rose Byrne as Rebecca Skloot
- Renée Elise Goldsberry as Henrietta Lacks
- Courtney B. Vance as Sir Lord Keenan Kester Cofield
- Reg E. Cathey as Zakariyya Lacks
- Ruben Santiago-Hudson as Dr. Pattillo
- Leslie Uggams as Sadie
- Reed Birney as Dr. George Gey
- John Douglas Thompson as Lawrence Lacks
- Adriane Lenox as Barbra Lacks
- Roger Robinson as Day Lacks
- Rocky Carroll as Sonny Lacks
Production
The film was announced on May 2, 2016. George C. Wolfe will write and direct the film, with Oprah Winfrey producing the film as well as starring as Lacks' daughter Deborah.[1] In July, Rose Byrne was cast as Rebecca Skloot, the author of the book about Henrietta, who befriends Deborah while reporting on her mother's life,[2] and Renée Elise Goldsberry was cast as the titular Henrietta Lacks.[3] The core supporting cast was rounded out in August 2016, with Courtney B. Vance, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Reg E. Cathey and Leslie Uggams amongst them.[4] As of September 21, 2016, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks has begun filming in Baltimore, after several weeks of shooting in Atlanta.[5][6]
References
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2016-05-02). "Oprah Winfrey To Star In HBO Films' 'The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks'". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (2016-07-15). "Rose Byrne Joins Oprah Winfrey In HBO Films' 'The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks'". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (2016-07-25). "Renée Elise Goldsberry Cast In HBO Films' 'The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks'". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
- ↑ Pedersen, Erik (2016-08-11). "Courtney B. Vance, Leslie Uggams, 7 Others Join Oprah Winfrey In HBO's 'Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks'". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
- ↑ Mayhugh, Jess (September 21, 2016). "Oprah's "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" Films in Baltimore This Week". Baltimore Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ↑ Britto, Brittany (September 21, 2016). "Oprah Winfrey spotted in Baltimore as 'Henrietta Lacks' movie films in city". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 29, 2016.