Hollywood’s obsession with the glamour of show business and the thrills of WWII are about to collide. A brand new television series will combine two very distinct genres while telling the true story of one of the greatest performers of the 20th Century.
Deadline reports that singer and actress Janelle Monaé (“Hidden Figures,” “Moonlight“) has been tapped to play the legendary Josephine Baker in a new series from A24. “De La Resistance” hails from creator and showrunner Jennifer Yale, who is known for her work on “See,” “Outlander,” and “Underground.”
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Baker was a real-life spy for the Allies during the French resistance of WWII, helping defeat the Nazis, which was an extreme juxtaposition to her public persona as one of the world’s most iconic, talented, and glamorous entertainers during the height of the Jazz and silent film age. Born in Missouri in 1906, the performer started her career at 15 when she appeared on stage in several shows in New York. At 19, she moved to France, which would become her adopted home country. Baker is now being declared a national hero in France.
A civil rights activist, she was also considered one of the first black global superstars, before that was even a concept with film credits, including “Moulin Rouge,” “Zouzou,” “The French Way,” “Siren of The Tropics,” and much more.
“De La Resistance” is not the only series in the works that will focus on Baker, as Ruth Negga (“Passing,” “Loving“) was attached to play Baker in a limited series for ABC Signature and The Springhill Company titled “Josephine.”
Clearly, A24’s casting of Monaé is spot-on and we can’t wait to hear who else is selected for the supporting cast and directing duties. A bidding war has broken out among multiple streamers for the package deal.