Black-ish actress Marsai Martin has been cast in the lead role of Amazon’s upcoming American Girl live-action special, “Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win, an American Girl Story.”

Martin will play Melody, a 10-year-old girl in 1963 Detroit who, in the midst of the Civil Rights movement, becomes aware of the racial inequality surrounding her. After the Birmingham Church Bombing, Melody begin to question the promise of America’s pledge of allegiance and challenges her teacher on the validity of it.

The special was written and executive-produced by Alison McDonald, who recently penned an episode of the Roots revival. Common, Christopher Keenan and Melinda McCrocklin join McDonald as executive producers on this film. Melody, 1963: Love Has to Win, an American Girl Story will also star Frances Fisher as Miss Abbot, Frankie Faison as Melody’s grandfather Frank Ellison, and Idara Victor as Melody’s mother Frances Ellison.

The American Girl franchise is based on original stories by Denise Lewis Patrick. The special will premiere on Amazon Prime in the fall.

You go Marsai! Now if we can just get this film produced and you cast in it.

Stay connected to all things Black Twitter, news, and the best content on the Internet by signing up for Blavity’s daily newsletter.

american girl series

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week