Janelle Monáe has just landed her next major gig.
Monae has been cast in the new biopic chronicling the life of Harriet Tubman. Harriet tells the story of the iconic freedom fighter with Cynthia Erivo tapped to star as the famous abolitionist. Tubman, who was born into slavery, escaped in 1849 and carried out missions to free dozens of slaves through the Underground Railroad.
Last year Erivo said of the casting, “I’m completely grateful to be able to play that role,” adding, “I hope I do it justice.”
The feature is helmed by Kasi Lemmons who also co-wrote the script with Gregory Allen Howard. Debra Martin Chase, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, and Howard will produce. Filming is set to begin this month in Virginia.
Monáe joins the previously announced Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Nettles, Clarke Peters, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Zackary Momoh, Deborah Ayorinde, and Vondie Curtis-Hall.
Monáe’s latest big screen performance was on the 2016 Hidden Figures and Moonlight. You can see her next on Robert Zemeckis’ Welcome to Marwen.
