TV News

Broadway's Viola Davis May Star in Harriet Tubman Film

The ”How to Get Away With Murder” star is also executive-producing the HBO telepic.

Editorial Staff
New York City
Viola Davis may star in a telepic about abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
Viola Davis may star in a telepic about abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

Tony winner and star of ABC's How to Get Away With Murder, Viola Davis, may star in an HBO drama about 1800s abolitionist Harriet Tubman, according to Variety. The movie, which has not yet been given the official go-ahead for production, is based on Kate Clifford Larson's book Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman: Portrait of an American Hero.

Davis is developing the project with Amblin TV, writer Kirk Ellis (HBO's John Adams), and Entourage executive producer Doug Ellin. She will co-executive produce with husband Julius Tennon and others.

Viola Davis has appeared on Broadway in Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, and Fences, receiving Tony nominations for all three productions and wins for Hedley and Fences. She also won Drama Desk Awards for those two productions as well as Roundabout Theatre Company's Intimate Apparel.