Emmett Till Drama With Whoopi Goldberg Adds Frankie Faison, Jayme Lawson and More

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MGM’s Orion Pictures has set the supporting cast for “Till,” its historical drama about the aftermath of the murder of Emmett Till. Joining stars Danielle Deadwyler and Whoopi Goldberg are Frankie Faison, Jayme Lawson and more.

Chinonye Chukwu (“Clemency”) is directing “Till.” Also joining the cast are Tosin Cole, Kevin Carroll, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson and Roger Guenveur Smith. Jalyn Hall was also previously announced for the cast.

“Till” is about Mamie Till-Mobley, who led a pursuit for justice for her 14-year-old son Emmett Louis Till following his gruesome murder in 1955 after he was accused of offending a white woman in a grocery store. She chose to have an open casket for her son and let Jet magazine publish the horrific photos from the funeral, which became a galvanizing moment for the civil rights movement.

Chukwu also wrote the screenplay for “Till” based on a previous draft by Keith Beauchamp and Michael J P Reilly. The film is based in part on Beauchamp’s own research for his 2005 documentary “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till.” Deadwyler is playing Mamie Till-Mobley, and Goldberg is playing Emmett Till’s grandmother.

“Till” is shooting now in Atlanta. The producers on the film are Keith Beauchamp, Barbara Broccoli, Whoopi Goldberg, Thomas K Levine, Michael J P Reilly and Frederick Zollo.

Frankie Faison is known for his work in “The Wire” and “Do the Right Thing” and most recently starred in “I’m Your Woman” and “Fatherhood.” Jayme Lawson will next star in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” and will play Michelle Obama in “The First Lady.” Tosin Cole has appeared in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “Burning Sands.” Kevin Carroll is known for “The Leftovers” and “The Walking Dead.”