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Bessie is an HBO TV film about legendary American blues singer Bessie Smith, and focuses on her transformation as a struggling young singer into "The Empress of the Blues". The film is directed by Dee Rees, with a screenplay by Rees, Christopher Cleveland and Bettina Gilois. Queen Latifah stars as Smith, and supporting roles are played by Michael Kenneth Williams as Smith's first husband Jack Gee, and Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey. The film premiered on May 16, 2015.
Original Release
05/16/2015
US Release
05/16/2015
Links
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Queen Latifah | Bessie Smith / Bessie |
| Mo'Nique | Ma Rainey |
| Mike Epps | Richard |
| Tika Sumpter | Lucille |
| Michael Kenneth Williams | Jack Gee |
| Charles S. Dutton | William 'Pa' Rainey / Pa Rainey |
| Bryan Greenberg | John Hammond |
| Oliver Platt | Carl Van Vechten |
| Khandi Alexander | Viola |
| Tory Kittles | Clarence |
Directors
Writers
Dee Rees, Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois, Horton Foote
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Queen Latifah | Bessie Smith / Bessie |
| Mo'Nique | Ma Rainey |
| Mike Epps | Richard |
| Tika Sumpter | Lucille |
| Michael Kenneth Williams | Jack Gee |
| Charles S. Dutton | William 'Pa' Rainey / Pa Rainey |
| Bryan Greenberg | John Hammond |
| Oliver Platt | Carl Van Vechten |
| Khandi Alexander | Viola |
| Tory Kittles | Clarence |
| Jeremie Harris | Langston Hughes |
| Joe Knezevich | Frank Walker |
| Alkoya Brunson | Swarm Boy #2 |
| Whitney Goin | Fania Van Vechten |
| Todd Allen Durkin | Night Club Owner / Nightclub Manager |
| Terence Rosemore | Detroit Theater Manager |
| Jessejames Locorriere | Vanity Fair Editor |
| Onira Tares | Chorus Girl #1 / Chorus Girl |
| Neko Parham | Rehearsal Director |
| Crystal Lee Brown | Bessie's Dancer |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Shakim Compere | Executive Producer |
| Randi Michel | Executive Producer |
| Queen Latifah | Executive Producer |
| Shelby Stone | Executive Producer |
| Lili Fini Zanuck | Executive Producer |
| Richard D. Zanuck | Executive Producer |
| Hallie Foote | Executive Producer |
| Ron Schmidt | Producer |
Editors
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 2016 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Television Movie | Won |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie or a Special (Original Dramatic Score) | Won |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie or a Special | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie | Won |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or a Movie | Won |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or a Movie | Nominated |
| 2015 | Emmy | Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or a Movie (Non-Prosthetic) | Nominated |
