Musician and Actress, Janelle Monae, has been cast to play the role of Jazz Age icon, civil rights activist and freedom fighter Josephine Baker in the A24 TV series ‘De La Resistance.’
The story will revolve around Baker’s role as a spy for the Allies during the French resistance helping defeat the Nazis, and on her experience as one of the world’s most iconic, talented and glamorous entertainers.
The drama, which comes from A24, will see Monáe, also produce under her Wondaland banner. ‘See’ and ‘Outlander’s’ Jennifer Yale has created the series and will serve as showrunner. Chuck Lightning, Mikael Moore, Nate Wonder and Dana Gills will serve as executive producers for Wondaland on the series. Angela Gibbs is also an executive producer.
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American-born French entertainer and civil rights activist Baker was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture, the 1927 silent film ‘Siren Of The Tropics.’ Later in her career, Baker was active for the French Resistance during WWII, for which she was awarded multiple honours by French leader General Charles de Gaulle.
Baker refused to perform to segregated audiences in the U.S. and is noted for her contributions to the civil rights movement. She was even offered a leadership role in the movement by Coretta Scott King following her husband’s assassination.
Monae is best known for screen roles in ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Harriet’. Upcoming she will co-star in Rian Johnson’s ‘Knives Out 2.’
