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date (day) time network episode title
5/16/15 (Sa.)8:00 PMHBON/A






BESSIE (HBO)
BROADCAST HISTORY:
5/16/15
STATUS:
telefilm/mini-series in the can
DESCRIPTION:
(from HBO's press release, April 2015) Oscar(R) nominee Queen Latifah ("Chicago") stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees ("Pariah") from a screenplay by Dee Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Dee Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into "The Empress of the Blues," one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today. Debuting SATURDAY, MAY 16 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO, BESSIE is executive produced by Richard D. Zanuck, Lili Fini Zanuck, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel. Ron Schmidt produces.
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Bryan Greenberg as John Hammond
· Charles S. Dutton as William "Pa" Rainey
· Khandi Alexander as Viola
· Michael K. Williams as Jack
· Mike Epps as Richard
· Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey
· Oliver Platt as Carl Van Vechten
· Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith
· Tika Sumpter as Lucille
· Tory Kittles as Clarence
CREW INFORMATION:
· Dee Rees as WRTR/DIR
· Lili Fini Zanuck as EP
· Queen Latifah as EP
· Randi Michel as EP
· Shakim Compere as EP
· Shelby Stone as EP
GENRE(S):
· mow
STUDIO INFORMATION:
· Flavor Unit Entertainment
· Zanuck Company, The