If you thought the title of ABC’s hit comedy Black-ish was eyebrow-raising, then the title of BET’s new miniseries The Book of Negroes is sure to ruffle feathers.
The miniseries, starring Cuba Gooding Jr and Aunjanue Ellis, is set to debut on BET in February and will become the network’s first-ever long format series. The Book of Negroes is based on Lawrence Hill’s novel of the same name about Aminata Diallo, ‘the indomitable African women who is kidnapped by slave traders in West Africa, sold into slavery in South Carolina, then navigates her way through the American Revolution when she ultimately secures her freedom to England at the dawn of the 19th century’, according to Deadline.
As far as the title is concerned, series director Clement Virgo says that after reading Hill’s novel, “I couldn’t imagine the novel being called anything else.”
Cuba Gooding Jr. says that what sets this project apart from other recent slavery-themed projects like the award-winning 12 Years a Slave is that :
“It’s told from the female perspective with a sense of empowerment. Through Aminata’s journey we see the strength of her character. I didn’t know anything about The Book Of Negroes, or the slaves participation with the British and upon hearing this, it always upsets me when I hear about something I don’t know: Like The Tuskegee Airmen, The Book Of Negroes is another upsetting moment for African Americans, when we have made a positive impact on the building of America, but our history hasn’t been told. Hearing this tale of strength moved me.”
Check out the trailer below. Will you be watching?
[via Deadline]
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