The cast of Tyler Perry upcoming fourth film at Netflix Six Triple Eight has been revealed. And we’re loving all of the talent involved. Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, and Kylie Jefferson will star in the inspiring true story of the 6888th battalion. It was the only all-Black, all-female World War II battalion.
Sarah Jeffery, and Pepi Sonuga, Shanice Shantay, Jay Reeves, Jeanté Godlock, Moriah Brown, Baadja-Lyne Odums and Gregg Sulkin join the above in the film, which will begin principle photography this week. Dean Norris, Susan Sarandon, and Sam Waterston round out the cast of Six Triple Eight.
READ: 51+ Most Anticipated Movies of 2023
Perry will write, direct and produce the Netflix drama that will tell of the “855 women who joined the war effort with little knowledge of what exactly they would be doing, but were quickly given the mission of a lifetime: sort through and fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail.
A herculean task, that most thought to be impossible, the women not only succeeded but did it in half the time they were given. Facing discrimination, unfamiliar land, and a war-torn country, they persevered and sorted over 17 million pieces of mail, reconnecting American soldiers with their families and loved ones back home.
The motto that kept them going each day was one they created themselves: “No Mail, Low Morale.” The women of the 6888 weren’t just delivering mail, they were delivering hope.”
Perry is adapting the feature film from Kevin M. Hymel’s article about the 6888th battalion, published in WWII History Magazine by Sovereign Media. Until recently, little had been documented about the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion.
However on March 14, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the bill for the women to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor.
Perry teased the project to Variety in August, saying his next movie was going to feature “some incredible people that were overlooked for years.”
READ: 14 of the Blackest Movies to Watch on Black Friday
Washington is executive producing as well as Nicole Avant is also producing for Her Excellency Productions. Keri Selig for Intuition Productions, Carlota Espinosa, Angi Bones, and Tony Strickland for Tyler Perry Studios Peter Guber of Mandalay Pictures will serve as executive producer.
Prior to Six Triple Eight, Perry released A Fall From Grace, A Madea Homecoming, and A Jazzman’s Blues on the streamer. He also appeared in Adam McKay’s satire Don’t Look Up.
Check out the cast below:
Message From the Founder (Me):
First, thank you so much for visiting BLEX. Building this brand is a labor of love and my way of celebrating the beauty and diversity of Black culture in Hollywood. While building this brand is a labor of love, I rely on the support of people like you to keep the site and social platforms running. If you believe in what Blex Media stands for and enjoy the content I produce, please consider donating a cup of coffee. Your contribution helps me keep the site running will enable me to expand my team and improve Blex’s platform. Thank you for being a part of the Blex community!
-Sharifa