The arrival of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Netflix has been highly anticipated all year long, largely due to its stellar cast. Director George C. Wolfe gathered some of the biggest names to grace both screen and stage for his adaptation of August's Wilson 1982 play, and fans are sure to recognize several faces when the film begins streaming Friday, December 18th.
Denzel Washington is also involved with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, albeit not onscreen. Washington produced the film, which is his latest project to adapt an August Wilson script. Like 2013's Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was shot in Pittsburgh, PA, although the actual events of the film take place in Chicago.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom follows a single recording session in the late 1920's, as a band of musicians await the arrival of the so-called "Mother of Blues," Ma Rainey. Throughout the session, tensions begin to rise as members of the band set their sights on their own goals and ambitions. Here are all the actors bringing this beloved tale to life.
Viola Davis as Ma Rainey
Viola Davis is among the most talented women in Hollywood today. Fans are likely to recognize Davis from any number of her films, ranging from Prisoners to Suicide Squad to Widows. Davis' work in Widows may be especially notable for how it could translate to her performance as the titular Ma Rainey. Widows, directed by Steve McQueen, saw Davis' character, Veronica Rawlings, rally together a group of grieving women in order to pull off a major heist. Her role as leader of a team of sorts translates nicely to the obvious clout and gravitas that Ma Rainey seems to carry. Davis has consistently delivered as some of the most powerful female characters in recent memory, making her mark on television with ABC's How to Get Away With Murder. With Oscar buzz already swarming Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Davis could certainly add to her already extensive collection of awards.
Chadwick Boseman as Levee
There are plenty of reasons to get excited about Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The production design looks rich and detailed. The costuming seems vibrant and authentic. And yet, it is safe to say that the late Chadwick Boseman will ultimately be responsible for cementing the film in our shared cultural memory. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom features the final performance of Boseman's career, as his death came just a few months after production wrapped on the film. There is plenty of reason to believe that Boseman's performance as Levee could nab him a posthumous Oscar, but no matter how awards season plays out, fans will be grateful to have one final performance from the dynamic and charismatic actor.
Boseman is most well known for his work as T'Challa in Marvel's Black Panther, but he has also appeared in several worthwhile biopics, such as 42, Thurgood, and Get On Up. Boseman's commitment to playing black icons has granted him one of the better filmographies in Hollywood, and suggests his career will come to a beautifully fitting end with his work as Levee, the most ambitious member of Ma Rainey's band.
Colman Domingo as Cutler
Like Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo has built an excellent body of work by seeking out consistently substantive roles. Domingo appears in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom as Cutler, another member of Ma Rainey's backing band. Domingo currently stars in AMC's Fear the Walking Dead as Victor Strand, and previously appeared in acclaimed films such as Barry Jenkins' If Beale Street Could Talk and Sam Levinson's Assassination Nation. Domingo has also collaborated with Levinson on HBO's Euphoria, where he appears as Ali, a close confidant of Rue's. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom features immense star-power in Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, but Domingo's strong screen presence should make Cutler a fascinating character to follow.
Glynn Turman as Toledo
Glynn Turman is perhaps most recognizable to audiences as Baltimore mayor Clarence Roy in HBO's The Wire. However, at 73 years old, Turman has had a long and illustrious career, appearing in beloved shows like A Different World or the classic coming-of-age film Cooley High. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom also marks Turman's second onscreen appearance with Viola Davis, as he had a featured role in How to Get Away With Murder for 10 episodes. He is also no stranger to legendary soul artists, as Turman married Aretha Franklin in 1978. The couple divorced in 1984.
Turman's involvement with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is particularly notable, however, as the film marks his second turn as Toledo. Turman played the very same character in a stage run of the play back in 2016. Recent Broadway adaptation The Prom was criticized for its seeming disconnect with its source material, so Turman's involvement with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom further underscores the admiration everyone involved had for August Wilson's play.
Michael Potts as Slow Drag
Like Glynn Turman, Michael Potts is known for his role as Brother Mouzone in The Wire. Potts also appeared in HBO's True Detective as Detective Gilbough in the show's first season. He also has stage experience, receiving acclaim for his performance as Mafala Hatimbi in the Tony-Award-winning The Book of Mormon. Potts' character, Slow Drag, is the cellist of the band and rounds out the main cast of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
Supporting Cast
- Taylour Paige as Dussie Mae: Paige stars in the Twitter-thread-inspired Zola, which premiered at Sundance in January of 2020. She is also known for her work on VH1's Hit the Floor.
- Dusan Brown as Sylvester: At 19 years old, Brown is already a prolific voice actor, appearing in hit series on Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. He also had a bit role alongside Chadwick Boseman in 42.
- Jonny Coyne as Sturdyvant: Coyne has had bit roles in a variety of television programs, including Once Upon a Time and its spin-off, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. He also played the Allfather in season 3 of Preacher, which had its series finale just a year ago.
- Jeremy Shamos as Irvin: Shamos appeared earlier this year in HBO's Bad Education. He also had small roles in 2014's Birdman and 2009's Taking Woodstock.