Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia is a 2021 American biographical musical drama television film directed by Kenny Leon, written by Bettina Gilois and Todd Kreidler, and executive-produced by Robin Roberts. It stars Danielle Brooks as gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Jason Dirden, Olivia Washington, Rob Demery and Joaquina Kalukango also round out the cast. The film premiered on Lifetime on April 3, 2021.
The film received positive reviews, especially for Brooks' performance, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie.
Cast Danielle Brooks as Mahalia Jackson Olivia Washington as Estelle Joaquina Kalukango as Mildred Falls Jason Dirden as Russell Rob Demery as Martin Luther King Benjamin Charles Watson as John Jim Thorburn as Studs Marci T. House as Aunt Duke Kenny Leon as Professor Kendricks Kerry Sandomirsky as Bess Berman
Reception Film critic Melanie McFarland from Salon wrote in her review: "thanks to Brooks' resolute performance and Kenny Leon's sturdy directing style, "Mahalia" successfully argues for our attention. In the same way that Cynthia Erivo stellar work easily buys forgiveness of the many flaws in "Genius," Brooks reaches beyond the screen and grabs you every time she breaks into song, doubling that power to meet the grandeur of bigger stages. A lesser director would struggle to adequate frame that mighty power, but Leon rises to her level by matching her artistry with visual artfulness." Carla Renata from The Curvy Film Critic also give the film positive review and praised Brooks' performance and the film writing: "Of all the Lifetime movies I have screened over the years, this is the best. The attention to detail from hair, makeup, costume and production design all the way down to the screenplay by Todd Kriedler and Bettina Gilois are exceptional."
Accolades Award Category Recipient(s) Result RefWomen's Image Network AwardsOutstanding Actress Made For Television Movie / Limited Series Danielle BrooksOutstanding Made For Television Movie / Limited Series73rd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Television Movie26th Satellite AwardsBest Television FilmBest Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Danielle BrooksMake-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards 2021Best Period and/or Character Make-Up27th Critics' Choice AwardsBest Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Danielle Brooks Best Movie Made for Television33rd Producers Guild of America AwardsBest Streamed or Televised Movie53rd NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic SpecialDanielle Brooks Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special Kenny LeonLeo AwardsBest Supporting Performance by a Male in a Television Movie Jim Thorburn
See also Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022) — another biographical musical drama film about Mahalia Jackson
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