Netflix on March 22 brings to life iconic politician Shirley Chisholm in its original film Shirley, starring Regina King as the groundbreaking U.S. Congresswoman.  

Actor Brad James, who plays Black Panther Party founder Huey Newton in the John Ridley-directed film, said it was a “heavy lift” to tell the story of the trailblazing Chisholm, whose 1972 run as the first Black candidate to seek a major party’s nomination for president is chronicled in the film. He added the cast – led by King, and including Lance Reddick, Lucas Hedges, Terrence Howard and Christina Jackson – was more than up to the task of putting in perspective the historical significance of Chisholm’s accomplishment. 

“The deck is stacked in terms of who we have in this film,” James said. “The caliber of work is paramount to telling an accurate representation of what historically happened.” 

Click on the video below to hear more of the interview with Brad James. 

Apple TV Plus examines the events at a local hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in a trailer for its original drama series Five Days at Memorial, debuting on the streaming service August 12.

The series, based on the book of the same name, focuses on actual events after Hurricane Katrina as exhausted caregivers at a New Orleans hospital were forced to make decisions that would follow them for years to come, according to the streaming service.

The eight-episode series stars Vera Farmiga, Robert Pine and Cherry Jones.  Five Days at Memorial is executive produced by John Ridley and Carlton Cuse.■

Get complete coverage of the 2017 Winter Press Tour.

Pasadena, Calif. -- David Lynch made a surprise appearance at Showtime’s TCA press day, speaking about his remake of Twin Peaks, which comes out May 21. True to character, Lynch did not elaborate much, but did shed a hint of light about the considerable anticipation awaiting the series.

“This word 'expect' is a magical word,” he said. “People expect things and their expectations are met, hopefully, when they see the thing.”

Lynch and Mark Frost are behind the project, which will consist of 18 total episodes. Lynch said it was Frost who catalyzed the reboot.

Lynch seemed to take delight in terse answers that kept his interlocutors guessing. His cast members sung the cryptic director’s praises.“Every day is magical, hilarious," sSaid actress Laura Dern. "You’re seeing something you’ve never seen before. It’s the most freeing, wild, wonderful family ride you could ask for in your life.”

The Twin Peaks reboot will debut on May 21 with a two-hour episode, David Nevins, president and CEO of Showtime Networks, announced at the TCA session.

Nevins also said a season four of drama The Affair is in the works and set an April 19 premiere date for John Ridley’s limited series Guerrilla, starring Idris Elba.

Read more at broadcastingcable.com.

The T Howard Foundation has tapped film director/producer John Ridley and entrepreneur Russell Simmons to present its Diversity Awards during its annual fundraising dinner this March.

Ridley, producer of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning series American Crime, will present the foundation’s Champion Award to ABC Entertainment Group president Paul Lee.

Simmons will present the Corporate Excellence Award to HBO, which will be accepted by HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler.

Other awards presented during the March 23 dinner include the Diversity Partner Award, presented to both Crown Media Holdings and Microsoft Corporation, according to T Howard.