Regina King as Shirley Chisholm Challenges Political Norms in Upcoming Netflix Film  

Photo@ Glen Wilson/Netflix 

SOURCE: variety.com 

In a powerful retort to stereotypes, Regina King embodies Shirley Chisholm, the iconic trailblazer who shattered ceilings as the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, in the upcoming Netflix film “Shirley.” 

 Scheduled for release on March 22, the movie delves into Chisholm’s historic 1972 presidential campaign, spotlighting her resilience and defiance against conventional political expectations. 

Penned and directed by John Ridley, the Oscar-winning writer of “12 Years a Slave,” “Shirley” promises a gripping narrative that transcends the ordinary portrayal of political figures. The trailer features King’s Chisholm challenging critics who attempt to pigeonhole her, defiantly questioning, “Do I look like every other politician?” 

King, renowned for her captivating performances, leads a stellar cast, including Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Terrence Howard, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Michael Cherrie, Dorian Crossmond Missick, Amirah Vann, W. Earl Brown, Brad James, Reina King, and André Holland. 

 Behind the scenes, the film is brought to life by a talented production team comprising Ridley, sisters Regina and Reina King, Anikah McLaren, and Elizabeth Haggard, with Jeff Skoll and Ted Gidlow serving as executive producers. 

Regina King’s portrayal of Shirley Chisholm marks another milestone in her illustrious career. The award-winning actress clinched an Oscar for best supporting actress in 2019 for her role in Barry Jenkins’ adaptation of James Baldwin’s “If Beale Street Could Talk.” With notable credits including “Jerry Maguire,” “Ray,” and “The Harder They Fall,” King brings depth and authenticity to every character she embodies. 

“Shirley” promises to be a cinematic masterpiece, offering audiences a glimpse into the indomitable spirit of Shirley Chisholm and the transformative impact of her legacy on American politics. 

“Shirley Chisholm’s fearless determination has been an inspiration to so many of us, and with this film we hope to inspire many generations to come,” King said previously in a statement. “To collaborate once again with my friend and mentor, John Ridley, and the team at Participant, makes this decade-long journey even sweeter.” 

Grammy winner Samara Joy recently told Variety she has a new original song coming out in “Shirley.” But she held back on revealing all the details, saying, “I can’t tell you the artist I collaborated with. That’s a secret.” 

Watch the full trailer below.