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First Look: Regina King Stars As Shirley Chisolm In ‘Shirley’

SHIRLEY. Regina King as Shirley Chisholm and Lucas Hedges as Robert Gottlieb in Shirley. Cr. Glen Wilson/Netflix © 2023.

Regina King, the Academy Award-winning actress, is gearing up to embody the iconic political figure Shirley Chisholm in the upcoming film "Shirley." The highly anticipated movie, both written and directed by John Ridley, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind "12 Years a Slave," delves into the groundbreaking 1972 presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazer in American politics. Chisholm, who had previously made history as the first Black woman elected to the US Congress in 1968, shattered barriers once again by becoming the first Black candidate to vie for a major party's nomination for the presidency.

SHIRLEY. (L to R) Regina King as Shirley Chisholm and Terrence Howard as Arthur Hardwick Jr. in Shirley. Cr. Glen Wilson/Netflix © 2023.

"Shirley" promises to unravel the inspirational narrative of Chisholm's audacious and pivotal campaign, which left an indelible mark on the political landscape. The transformation of Regina King into the role of Shirley Chisholm adds an extra layer of excitement and anticipation for the film's release.

SHIRLEY. (L to R) Christina Jackson as Barbara Lee, Michael Cherrie as Conrad Chisholm, Regina King as Shirley Chisholm, Lance Reddick as Wesley McDonald “Mac” Holder and Lucas Hedges as Robert Gottlieb in Shirley. Cr. Glen Wilson/Netflix © 2023.

SHIRLEY. (L to R) Terrence Howard as Arthur Hardwick Jr., Lance Reddick as Wesley McDonald “Mac” Holder in Shirley. Cr. Glen Wilson/Netflix © 2023.

The ensemble cast of "Shirley" boasts a stellar lineup, with Regina King leading alongside accomplished actors such as Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Christina Jackson, Michael Cherrie, Dorian Crossmond Missick, Amirah Vann, W. Earl Brown, Brad James, Reina King, André Holland, and Terrence Howard.

Mark your calendars, as Netflix is scheduled to premiere "Shirley" on March 22, 2024.