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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 |
|---|
| Kamryn Johnson | Young Bessie |
| Rikki McKinney | Chorus Guy |
| Alan T. Coleman | Stagehand |
| Tory Kittles | Clarence |
| Clay Chappell | '81' Theatre Owner |
| Tika Sumpter | Lucille |
| Sharan C. Mansfield | Miss Taylor |
| Neko Parham | Rehearsal Director |
| Onira Tares | Chorus Girl #1 / Chorus Girl |
| Jhoni Davis | Chorus Girl / Chorus Girl #2 |
Directors
Writers
Dee Rees, Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois, Horton Foote
Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|
| Kamryn Johnson | Young Bessie |
| Rikki McKinney | Chorus Guy |
| Alan T. Coleman | Stagehand |
| Tory Kittles | Clarence |
| Clay Chappell | '81' Theatre Owner |
| Tika Sumpter | Lucille |
| Sharan C. Mansfield | Miss Taylor |
| Neko Parham | Rehearsal Director |
| Onira Tares | Chorus Girl #1 / Chorus Girl |
| Jhoni Davis | Chorus Girl / Chorus Girl #2 |
| Jim R. Coleman | Host |
| Melissa Youngblood | Theatergoer |
| Mo'Nique | Ma Rainey |
| Jennifer Sears | Ma's Main Girl |
| Charles S. Dutton | William 'Pa' Rainey / Pa Rainey |
| Todd Allen Durkin | Night Club Owner / Nightclub Manager |
| Crystal Lee Brown | Bessie's Dancer |
| Hunter Womack | Roadie #1 / Roadie |
| Christopher Harvey | Roadie #2 / Roadie |
| Tia Hendricks | Doreen Dupree |
Producers
| Name | Role |
|---|
| Queen Latifah | Executive Producer |
| Shakim Compere | Executive Producer |
| Hallie Foote | Executive Producer |
| Randi Michel | Executive Producer |
| Shelby Stone | Executive Producer |
| Lili Fini Zanuck | Executive Producer |
| Richard D. Zanuck | 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 |
