Elijah Kelley Set To Portray Sammy Davis Jr. In Hulu Limited Series From Lee Daniels

Elijah Kelley Set To Portray Sammy Davis Jr. In Hulu Limited Series From Lee Daniels

It looks like Hulu is teaming up with Lee Daniels to tell the story of Sammy Davis Jr.!

Reportedly, the streaming giant has picked up eight episodes of a limited series about Sammy Davis, Jr. from Lee Daniels, 62, and 20th Television. The yet-to-be-named series is based on Wil Haygood’s book, In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr., and will highlight the entertainer’s rise from childhood stardom on the vaudeville stage to becoming one of the most famous African American entertainers of the 1950s and ’60s.

The series will also showcase Sammy Davis Jr.’s controversial moments including his affairs with white film stars, his marriage to Swedish actress May Britt, his conversion to Judaism, his close relationship with the Kennedys (and later Richard Nixon), and his problems with alcohol and drugs.

Actor Elijah Kelley, 35, is set to play the iconic entertainer. Kelley–who is also a singer and dancer–  has previously worked with Lee Daniels on The Butler and Fox’s Star. Elijah Kelley has also starred in BET’s The New Edition Story, NBC’s The Wiz Live, and New Line’s Hairspray. 

Lee Daniels will not only write the series but will also executive produce and direct the first two episodes of the drama.

Lee Daniels

Elijah Kelley will produce and collaborate on some of the show’s original music.

What are your thoughts? Will you be watching? Let us know in the comments below! 

[Source: 1, 2 ]