Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard) and Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight) have officially wrapped filming on Liz Here Now, an upcoming indie drama directed by actor and director Sterling Macer Jr. The film, shot in Lexington, Kentucky, is adapted from Todd Connor’s novel of the same name.
Set in 1967 Oakland during the rise of the Black Panther Party, the story follows Liz Baxter (Ellis-Taylor), a Black nanny employed by a prominent white family. Liz becomes deeply concerned when she realizes the children in her care are suffering under their mother, Jane (Lefevre). Her efforts to protect them lead to accusations of being involved in a Black Panther conspiracy, heightening the tension in this intense domestic drama.
In a statement on Connor’s website about the book he says:
“For years, I have tried to describe what it was like to be the victim of child abuse. Even more complicated was explaining the deep love I experienced from the most implausible source — the poor, heavyset Black woman my parents hired as their maid. She fought money, power, and racism to save my life at a time when being Black in America meant no voice, no power, and no hope of justice. I want to tell the world about Liz.”
The film is a production of The Humble Picture Company and Clandestine Entertainment, with Macer Jr. co-writing the screenplay alongside Grant Nieporte (Seven Pounds) and Caleb G. Brown (Blue Ridge). The project’s producers include Macer Jr., Nieporte, and Zachary Weil, with Ellis-Taylor also serving as an executive producer alongside Todd Connor, Jeremy Mann, and Bob Smiley (Atypical).
Ellis-Taylor, who received an Oscar nomination for her role in King Richard, has an exciting lineup of upcoming projects. She stars in RaMell Ross’s Nickel Boys, based on Colson Whitehead’s acclaimed novel, which is set to release in december. Her recent credits also include The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, The Deliverance, The Color Purple, and Origin. She’s also appeared in series like 61st Street, Justified: City Primeval, and Lovecraft Country.
Lefevre, widely recognized for her role in the Twilight franchise, has starred in films such as White House Down and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. On television, her work includes Proven Innocent and Under the Dome.
Sterling Macer Jr., the film’s director, previously directed the indies Double Down and Park Day. As an actor, Macer Jr. has appeared in Where the Crawdads Sing and Bones.
Ellis-Taylor is represented by UTA and TMT Entertainment Group, while Lefevre is represented by Gersh, Pearl Hanan Management, and Meyer & Downs. Macer Jr. is represented by AMT Artists, Koopman Management, and Del Shaw Moonves.