A series highlighting the life of Nelson Mandela is coming to BET.
The cable network has signed none other than “Black-Ish” star and executive producer Laurence Fishburne to play the lead role as Mandela in an upcoming 6-hour miniseries titled “Madiba.”
The series, helmed by the late South African president’s grandson, Kweku Mandela, will tell the story of a young Mandela dealing with the unjust political policies taking over South Africa in the early ’60s. On board to direct the project is Kevin Hooks, best known for his work on the late FOX series “Prison Break.”
“Nelson Mandela’s journey of political activism and leadership is deeply inspirational and we are proud to have the talented and award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne join Madiba to tell this triumphant story” said BET’s President of Programming Stephen Hill.
Fishburne joins the likes of British actor Idris Elba, who previously played Mandela in the 2014 big screen film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Pre-production is slated to begin in late 2015, with production swinging into full effect in South Africa in early 2016.
Congrats to Fishburne on landing this iconic role. We can’t wait to see him in action.
