In his latest directorial endeavor, Malcolm Washington brings the legendary August Wilson’s play The Piano Lesson to life, with a powerhouse cast led by Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, and Danielle Deadwyler. The film, a mix of Wilson’s timeless themes and Washington’s fresh perspective promises to be a cinematic event that resonates deeply with audiences across generations, and it is coming to Netflix!
RELATED: The World of MEGALOPOLIS: Francis Ford Coppola’s Latest Visionary
The Cast
The film stars Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker, the patriarch whose quiet strength anchors the film. Jackson, known for his commanding presence, delivers a performance that is both restrained and deeply affecting, embodying the weight of history carried by his character. Opposite him, John David Washington shines as Boy Willie, a character brimming with ambition and conflict, embodying the restless spirit of a man caught between the past and his dreams for the future.
Danielle Deadwyler takes on the role of Berniece, a character pivotal to the film’s emotional core.
RELATED: Get Ready For Wicked: A Cinematic Journey from Stage to Screen This Holiday Season
Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Jerrika Hinton, Gail Bean and Corey Hawkins also star.
Honoring a Legacy
“I honor the spirit of August Wilson and the legacy he left behind for all of us. A legacy that thrives in the power of Danielle Deadwyler’s Berniece, the dynamism of John David Washington’s Boy Willie, and the understated brilliance that is Samuel L. Jackson’s Doaker,” Malcolm Washington said, reflecting on the responsibility of adapting such an iconic work.
For Washington, The Piano Lesson is not just a film; it is a journey into the heart of a family, an exploration of the stories that define them, and by extension, the Black American experience. “Every family has a history, stories from the past that inform the present; an origin story. Ultimately this story is much bigger than me and my family — it, like the Black American experience, is an interconnected web of stories that span space and time,” he explained.
The Piano Lesson is set to release November 22.
Facebook: @ThePianoLessonfilm | Instagram: @ThePianoLesson_ | X (Twitter): @ThePianoLessonFilm_
