Issa Rae playing Nina Simone
Although Zoe Saldana has been highly criticized for her role as Nina Simone in an upcoming biopic, a Web series star is being showered with praise for similar casting. Issa Rae, known for her “Awkward Black Girl” YouTube hit, will portray Nina Simone in a Lorraine Hansberry biopic.
Hansberry, a famed playwright, author and activist, is best known for penning A Raisin in the Sun.
Lorraine HansberryDescribed by IndieWire as unconventional, the biopic will star Hansberry’s grandniece, Taye Hansberry, in the lead role and feature the directoral work of Numa Perrier, co-creator of YouTube channel “Black & Sexy TV.” Perrier also stars in the online series “The Couple.”
Jaleel White of “Family Matters” fame will play James Baldwin, Hansberry’s close friend and confidant. Casting will be conducted by Will Stewart, who is best known for his work on ABC’s “Scandal.”
