Netflix Film Adaptation of Stage Show 'The Piano Lesson' Adds Stephan James, Gail Bean, Jerrika Hilton & Others

by Darian Scalamoni

    Netflix is set to release another August Wilson adaptation after their success with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom back in 2020 which starred Viola Davis and the late, great Chadwick Boseman. The show given a film for streaming is The Piano Lesson and will star an incredibly talented ensemble. Now, Deadline has an update on some other new cast members for the drama.

    Per the report, Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk), Gail Bean (Snowfall), Jerrika Hinton (Grey's Anatomy) and Malik J. Ali (Swagger) will join the cast that already stars John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins and Erykah Badu. The Piano Lesson is set in Pittsburgh in 1936 following The Great Depression and centers on Doaker Charles' household as well as the stories of his family. Much of the story revolves around the antique family piano which is carved with drawings by an enslaved ancestor. Jackson starred as Doaker Charles on Broadway earning himself a Tony Award nomination for his work on the stage.

    Malcolm Washington, Denzel's son and John David's brother, will make his feature directorial debut for the film. He previously directed the short film, Benny Got Shot, and will direct from a script by Virgil Williams (Mudbound, A Journal for Jordan). Denzel Washington and Todd Black will produce the movie for Netflix.

    In regard to the casting additions, many of them are on the come up leading into The Piano Lesson with major roles in film and television. James is best known for his starring roles in films such as Race and Barry Jenkins' If Beale Street Could Talk. Most recently, James had a role in AppleTV+ series, Surface. Next, James will have a role in Pamela Adlon's untitled comedy film revolving around a woman named Eden who becomes pregnant from a one-night-stand and leans on her friend for help. Eden will be played by Broad City star Ilana Glazer.

    Bean and Hilton are coming off starring roles in two drama series that just concluded. Bean starred in Snowfall, the FX drama series created by the late-John Singleton as Wanda Bell. She debuted in Season 2 and appeared in the show up until its end in April. She also had a role in Starz series, P-Valley as Roulette. Hinton had a lead role as detective Millie Morris in Amazon series, Hunters which starred Al Pacino and Logan Lerman. She also racked up over 100 episodes in long-time ABC medical phenomenon Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Stephanie Edwards. Hilton will appear next in Netflix limited series, A Man in Full starring Jeff Daniels and Bill Camp. Ali has a major role in the upcoming season of Swagger for AppleTV+.