Posted by | Ray Cornelius

It looks like Oprah Winfrey has been bitten by that acting bug again. The media maven is teaming up with HBO Films for a new biopic titled “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.”

According to THR, Winfrey will star as Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman who died of cervical cancer in 1951. Without her consent, pieces of the tumor that killed Lacks were removed and used for medical exploration and to build a billion-dollar research industry.  The film is based on Rebecca Skloot‘s nonfiction book of the same name.

Joining Winfrey on this new project is award winning-playwright George C. Wolfe, who will serve as the screenwriter and director. Wolfe is currently directing the Tony nominated-musical, “Shuffle Along” featuring Audra McDonald.

Lacks’ sons—David Lacks, Jr. and Zakariyya Rahman, and her granddaughter Jeri Lacks will also work alongside Winfrey as consultants. She is also serving as executive producer.

Look for Winfrey to also star in her network’s new television drama “Greenleaf,” debuting later on this month alongside Lynn Whitfield and Kieth David.

Stay tuned…

Photo Credit: inquisitr.com

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