This summer has turned out to be an epic one for ABC’s Blackish cast; first there was the Emmy nomination announcement for actress Tracee Ellis Ross, and now the show’s own little firecracker Marsai Martin, who plays Diane, has some big news of her own: the starlet has landed the lead role in Amazon’s upcoming American Girl live-action special: Melody, 1963: Love has to Win, an American Girl Story.
Per media site Broadwayworld, the movie is based in 1963 Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement, and will be centered around Melody, a 10-year-old girl whose eyes are opened to the racial inequality surrounding her. The movie will also showcase the 1963 Birmingham Church Bombing that took the lives of four African-American girls. Due to these events, Melody’s beliefs in an “indivisible” country is tested as she tries to come to grips of why such horror takes place in a world that’s suppose to make us free. Melody soon finds the courage to stand up for what’s right, even in the midst of uncertainty and doubt, and receives words of encouragement from her mother.
Marsai took to Twitter to express her excitement over getting cast for the part.
Excited to be a part of this amazing project ???????????? #AmericanGirl https://t.co/z8QRbwSoVO
— Marsai Martin (@marsaimartin) August 25, 2016
‘Melody’ is also set to star Frances Fisher, of Titanic, as Miss Abbot, Frankie Faison of The Wire, as Frank Ellison, and Idara Victor, of Rizzoli & Isles, as Frances Ellison. The film was executive produced by Common for Freedom Road Productions. Alison McDonald and Tina Mabry also wrote, directed, and executive produced the film. Amazon Video also expressed their excitement via Twitter on bringing Marsai aboard.
We're thrilled to welcome @cailamarsai to Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win, an #AmericanGirl Story, coming this fall! pic.twitter.com/U6wwAj7exf
— Prime Video (@PrimeVideo) August 25, 2016
Marsai has been a busy bee this year; the NAACP Image Award winner recently performed in the 35th Anniversary Celebration of the Tony Award winning musical Dreamgirls. She’s also worked alongside Meagan Good for the film How to Die Happy, and Fun Mom Dinner, with Toni Collette and Adam Levine. With so much going on- movies, a hit television series and feature films- Marsai doesn’t look like she will be slowing down anytime soon- and we’re sure hoping that she doesn’t.
Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win will air this fall.
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