HBO Releases Trailer for Santiago-Hudson’s Telepic “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”

It’s a first look at Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Immortal project…

HBO has released a first look at its upcoming telepic The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, starring the 60-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor and featuring Oprah Winfrey in a rare starring turn.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson

It’s the true story of the African-American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line after many other such efforts failed — and without her permission or knowledge.

Told through the eyes of Henrietta Lacks’ daughter, Deborah (Winfrey), the HBO Films project chronicles her search, with the help of journalist Rebecca Skloot (Rose Byrne), to learn about the mother she never knew and understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks’ cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented breakthroughs that changed the face of medicine forever. When the sheepishly smiling writer tells Deborah that she wants to pen a book about her mom’s experience, Deborah looks her up and down, then says, “Hope I don’t regret this.”

In addition to Winfrey, Byrne and Santiago-Hudson, the telepic also stars Renée Elise Goldsberry, Rocky Carroll, Kyanna Simone Simpson, Courtney B. Vance, Leslie UggamsReg E. CatheyReed Birney and Melvin Van Peebles.

The film hails from writer-director George C. Wolfe, based on Skloot’s 2010 book.

It premieres at 8:00 pm ET on April 22 on HBO.

Santiago-Hudson to Star in HBO Films’ “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”

Ruben Santiago-Hudson is preparing for a new Life

The 59-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor has joined the cast of HBO FilmsThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, starring Oprah Winfrey. 

Ruben Santiago-Hudson

The telepic tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks (Renée Elise Goldsberry), an African-American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line. Told through the eyes of her daughter, Deborah Lacks (Winfrey), the film chronicles her search to learn about the mother she never knew and to understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks’ cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever.

It’s a story of medical arrogance and triumph, race, poverty and deep friendship between the unlikeliest of people.

Santiago-Hudson will portray Dr. Pattillo, a doctor and professor of gynecology who facilitated Rebecca’s (Rose Byrne) communication with the Lacks family.

George C. Wolfe is writer-director of Harpo Films’ The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which is exec produced by Winfrey.