Bessie Trailer: Queen Latifah Takes on Music History in Blues Biopic

HBO’s original film Bessie gets a full trailer today, and wow is it a good one! Watch below as Queen Latifah glows in her role as bi-sexual blues singer Bessie Smith, starring along with Michael Kenneth Williams, Mo’Nique, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Khandi Alexander, Tory Kittles and more.

Bessie debuts on HBO May 16 at 8:00pm.

Synopsis from HBO: Starring Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) in the title role, BESSIE focuses on legendary blues singer Bessie Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today.

Directed by Dee Rees from a screenplay by Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois, with a story by Rees and Horton Foote. BESSIE is executive produced by Richard D. Zanuck, Lili Fini Zanuck, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel. Ron Schmidt produces.

The film also stars Michael Kenneth Williams as Bessie’s husband, Jack Gee; Khandi Alexander as Bessie’s older sister, Viola; Mike Epps as Richard, a bootlegger and romantic interest; Tory Kittles as Bessie’s older brother, Clarence; Tika Sumpter as Lucille, a performer and romantic interest; Oliver Platt as famed photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten; Bryan Greenberg as renowned record producer and music critic John Hammond; with Charles S. Dutton as Ma Rainey’s husband, William “Pa” Rainey; and Oscar® winner Mo’Nique as blues legend Ma Rainey.