Viola Davis

Ma Rainey. Black and photo of middle-aged Black woman wearing headdress. Split: Viola Davis. Black woman wearing red dress with short black hair holding an Oscar award.
N. Jamiyla Chisholm  Jun 24, 2019 11:50AM EDT

Viola Davis Set to Bring Ma Rainey to Hollywood

August Wilson’s play about the legendary blues singer will be adapted for the big screen.
Twon women hug outside the Emanuel AME Chucrh. To their right are flowers left for the victims.
Tiarra Mukherjee  Apr 9, 2019 2:03PM EDT

WATCH: Trailer for Viola Davis and Steph Curry Documentary, 'Emanuel'

The new documentary follows the people whose lives were most impacted by the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Viola Davis. Black woman with black afro in black top and sparkling black blazer smiles in front of white wall with black text; Shirley Chisholm. Black-and-white image of Black woman with black afro in patterned shirt and glasses in front of grey wall
Sameer Rao  Nov 30, 2018 3:58PM EST

Viola Davis Stars As Shirley Chisholm in New Movie

“The Fighting Shirley Chisholm” follows the first Black congresswoman and her trailblazing 1972 run for president.
Viola Davis smiles in black afro and dress in front of green plants
Sameer Rao  Sep 4, 2018 4:06PM EDT

Viola Davis Critiques Hollywood's Pay Gap for Women of Color

The star stuns on the cover of Variety. Inside, she calls out the pay inequity between women of color and their White counterparts.
Black-and-white image of a newspaper article with black text featuring image of a Black teenager in a suit
Sameer Rao  Jun 12, 2018 3:17PM EDT

Viola Davis Offers 'The Last Defense' For People on Death Row

The new docuseries explores the case of Julius Jones, a Black college student sentenced to death for killing a White man despite his repeated protests of innocence.
Black man in black and white tuxedo smiles next to Black woman in pink dress in front of white wall with gold ornamentation and insignia
Sameer Rao  Mar 8, 2018 4:30PM EST

New Viola Davis and Julius Tennon Series to Document Black Dandy Culture

The couple will turn Shantrelle P. Lewis’ book “Dandy Lion: The Black Dandy and Street Style” into a docuseries.
Black woman in red jumpsuit in front of dark grey background with blue and red and white text; Black woman in black blouse and silver skirt in front of light blue wall with white insignia
Sameer Rao  Mar 2, 2018 3:28PM EST

Lupita Nyong'o and Viola Davis Fight Colonization of Africa in 'The Woman King'

The upcoming film features the Oscar-winning actresses as warriors from a real, entirely female military unit in the Kingdom of Dahomey.
Black woman in white dress with black pattern laughs while sitting in black chair next to Black woman in blue and black dress who smiles while sitting in black chair in front of black screen
Sameer Rao  Feb 9, 2018 1:01PM EST

WATCH: Viola Davis and Kerry Washington Meet for Epic Shondaland Crossover

Annalise Keating seeks Olivia Pope’s help in bringing a case to the U.S. Supreme Court during an upcoming set of “Scandal” and “How to Get Away With Murder” episodes.
Black woman in light grey sweater and black leather jacket and black pants stands behind clear glass podium and black microphone and stand in front of light grey building
Sameer Rao  Jan 22, 2018 1:46PM EST

Viola Davis Centers Women of Color In An Unforgettable Women's March Speech

“But I’m here today, saying that no one and nothing can be great unless it costs you something!” 
Black woman in brown shirt and leather jacket sits in front of grey wall with brown picture frame and black statuette and brown-and-black medicine containers with white labels
Sameer Rao  Jun 20, 2017 11:54AM EDT

A 'Race Detective' Investigates Racism in 'American Koko'

Stream the second season of the digital satire series for free via ABC Digital.
Black woman in orange dress in front of red-orange background; Native man in red shirt and navy jacket in front of blurry blue background
Sameer Rao  May 5, 2017 4:47PM EDT

WATCH: Viola Davis' Web Series Profiles 5 Rising Hollywood Talents of Color

Davis’ husband and co-producer Julius Tennon: ”It’s an important part of the inclusion conversation happening now in Hollywood that’s often overlooked…simply giving people the space to be heard.”
Black woman in pink dress in front of blue background with white text and images
Sameer Rao  Apr 26, 2017 4:13PM EDT

Viola Davis to Produce True Crime Series on Police Violence in Black Communities

TV One’s “Two Sides of the Truth” will cover four police shootings.
Black woman in pink dress in front of pink background with black and white text and red border; Black man in navy suit in front of lime green background with black and white text and red border
Sameer Rao  Apr 20, 2017 1:33PM EDT

These 22 People From Time's 'Most Influential People' List Fight Racism With Their Work

From Viola Davis to Linda Sarsour, Chance the Rapper to John Lewis, these people of color are featured on Time’s 2017 list of “The 100 Most Influential People.”
Black woman holds gold statue while wearing red dress in front of navy, black and gold background
Sameer Rao  Feb 28, 2017 3:32PM EST

ICYMI: Viola Davis Named Harvard Foundation's 'Artist of the Year'

The Oscar-winning actress will receive the honor during the annual Cultural Rhythms Festival.
Viola Davis and Mahershala Ali pose with their Oscars.
Kenrya Rankin  Feb 26, 2017 8:54PM EST

The People of Color Who Won Big at the Oscars

…And the craziest, must-see moment of the night.
Black woman in off-white dress smiling against blurry yellow-brown background
Sameer Rao  Jan 31, 2017 11:56AM EST

Viola Davis to Star in 'Small Great Things' Film Adaptation

The 2016 novel tells the story of a Black nurse who is prosecuted after a White supremacist couple’s infant dies from a heart attack.
Black woman in black dress next to Black woman in white and grey dress next to Black woman in pink dress holding teal award statue against purple and green background
Sameer Rao  Jan 30, 2017 10:56AM EST

Black Thespian Excellence Shines at SAG Awards

The “Hidden Figures” cast, Viola Davis, Denzel Washington and Mahershala Ali dominated the film awards. 
Six Black women and men standing against light blue background with dark blue text, with one Black man holding gold statue and one Black woman wearing a gold gown
Sameer Rao  Jan 24, 2017 11:18AM EST

'Moonlight,' 'Fences' and Actors of Color Make Oscar History

Viola Davis, Mahershala Ali and four others round out the most diverse Academy Awards acting nominee pool ever.
Black man superimposed onto body with grey coat and hat next to Black man with charcoal hat and coat against white-covered winter background
Sameer Rao  Jan 9, 2017 11:45AM EST

'Hidden Fences' Isn't Real, but These Hilarious #GoldenGlobeErrors Tweets Are

The hashtag came in response to red carpet interviewer Jenna Bush Hager and award presenter Michael Keaton conflating the names of two predominantly Black movies, ”Hidden Figures” and “Fences,” during the Golden Globes broadcast.
Six Black women and men standing against light blue background with dark blue text, with one Black man holding gold statue and one Black woman wearing a gold gown
Sameer Rao  Jan 9, 2017 10:42AM EST

'Moonlight' Win, Tracee Ellis Ross' Speech and More Golden Globes Greatness

Ross, Viola Davis, Donald Glover and more Black Hollywood luminaries won big at last night’s awards.