Quinta Brunson Is Playing Oprah in the Upcoming Weird Al Biopic

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Actress Quinta Brunson is playing Oprah in the upcoming biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. The movie, which is slated to premiere this fall on the Roku Channel, follows the story of Alfred Yankovic—better known as Weird Al. The five-time Grammy-winning musician made a name for himself by parodying popular songs (Michael Jackson's "Beat It" became "Eat It" and Madonna's "Like a Virgin" is "Like a Surgeon"). Not to mention, he's earned six platinum records. Daniel Radcliffe (yes, that Daniel Radcliffe) is starring as Weird Al in the film, along with Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna, Rainn Wilson as radio broadcaster Dr. Demento, and, now, Brunson as our very own Lady O.

Brunson has been honing her comedic chops onscreen since A Black Lady Sketch Show, a variety series created by Robin Thede, for which Brunson was a main cast member during its first season. Shortly after, though, Brunson started her own project, Abbott Elementary—the ABC sitcom about a group of teachers working at an underfunded public school in Philadelphia—that has officially earned several Emmy nominations for 2022. Brunson herself was nominated three times, for Best Comedy Series, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and Writing for a Comedy Series, making her the youngest Black woman to receive the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series nomination and the first to be nominated for three comedy awards at once.

Now, while also gearing up for season two of Abbott Elementary, Brunson is taking on the most important role we can think of: the one and only Oprah Winfrey. When the announcement was shared on CBS Mornings, Gayle only had positive things to say. “I like Quinta, and I like Oprah, so I’m cheering for her,” she said on Tuesday.

Brunson, who is also a published author—her book of essays, She Memes Well, dropped in 2021—shared the exciting news via an Instagram story and Twitter, writing, “Let’s get #weird.” This caption came with a photo from the highly anticipated film showing Radcliffe as Weird Al and Brunson, unmistakably, as Oprah. (The two are, of course, standing in a closet filled with Hawaiian shirts: a longtime Weird Al staple.)

While limited details have been released about how the role of Oprah will tie into the greater Weird Al story, we’re inclined to agree with Gayle: We’re cheering for Brunson’s depiction of Oprah, too.

Check out the official trailer below!

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