Viola Davis, just after taking wins at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards for Fences, and Julia Roberts, who will also be voicing a character in the upcoming Smurf: The Lost Village, will both be starring in a film about white supremacists.The film is based on Jodi Picoult's novel Small Great Things, that is based roughly off of a true story.

The scene is set in a Connecticut hospital. A black nurse, Ruth, is told not to touch the baby of a white supremacist couple, but the baby ends up dying. Once that happens, the nurse is blamed and put on trial for the murder of the baby. Davis is said to star as Ruth, while Roberts will most likely play the defense lawyer. Roberts role is up for discussion. 

The two stars worked together in Eat, Pray, Love and will be sure not to disappoint in this new drama. Marc Platt, the producer for La La Land, which is a front-runner for Best Picture at the Oscars, is said to produce according to Deadline.

To get a greater feel for the novel, be sure to check out The CBS interview with Jodi Picoult.


Loving Blavity’s content? Sign up for our newsletter!