‘Orange Is the New Black’ star Danielle Brooks has been tapped to play gospel legend Mahalia Jackson in a biopic on Lifetime.
Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story will be the first in a four-film deal with Roberts, who previously executive produced the cabler’s movie Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story.
New Orleans native, Jackson, began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, merging her music with the civil rights movement.
She was an active supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. She sang at numerous rallies, including the March on Washington in 1963 alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in hopes that her music would inspire and inspire racial equality.
Jackson released several albums under Columbia Records, including ‘Black, Brown and Beige,’ ‘The Power and the Glory’ (1960), ‘Silent Night: Songs for Christmas’ (1962) and ‘Mahalia’ (1965).
“Having had the privilege of working with Kenny on Steel Magnolias and Robin Roberts on Stolen by my Mother, I am ecstatic to have them join forces to work together on this special project,” said Tanya Lopez, EVP of Movies, Limited Series & Original Movie Acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN. “Adding Danielle Brooks as Mahalia is icing on the cake. This team is committed in celebrating the legacy of Mahalia and reintroducing her to a world that needs her spirit more than ever.”
Brooks is best known for her role as “Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson” and received two NAACP Image Award nominations for “Best Actress in a Comedy Series” and was also the recipient of the Young Hollywood Award for “Breakthrough Actress.”
