Summary

• Regina King shines as Shirley Chisholm, showcasing her fierce resolve and commitment to equality.
• A stellar cast including Lucas Hedges and Terrence Howard brings Chisholm's historic campaign to life.
• John Ridley's exceptional film documents and celebrates Chisholm's groundbreaking political trailblazing effort.

The new Netflix historical biopic Shirley follows the true story of Shirley Chisholm's historic 1972 U.S. presidential campaign. Chisholm became the first black American woman to run for President of the United States just one year after becoming the first black woman elected to Congress in 1971. Chisholm's true story marks a landmark trailblazing effort in American politics that is documented and celebrated in John Ridley's exceptional film. Regina King gives a transformative performance as the titular character, showcasing her fierce resolve and unyielding commitment to make history and never give up fighting for equal representation.

The historical biopic stars an outstanding cast led by Regina King, Lucas Hedges, Terrence Howard, Lance Reddick, and Regina's real-life sister Reina King. The film was also produced by Regina and Reina King as well as Oscar-winning writer/director John Ridley (12 Years a Slave). King is an Oscar and Emmy-winning actor who was recognized for her supporting role in If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) as well as Seven Seconds (2018) and the HBO adaptation of Watchmen (2019). King is also an accomplished director, making her feature film debut with 2020's One Night in Miami... after directing episodes of Shameless (2017), The Good Doctor (2018), and Insecure (2018).

7 Regina King as Shirley Chisholm

King is 53 years old

Actor: Regina King was born in Los Angeles, California. She skyrocketed to prominence after making her feature film debut as the memorable Shalika in the classic coming-of-age drama Boyz in the Hood (1991) at the age of 20. King has become an incredibly successful entertainer both in front of and behind the camera over her 30+ year career. King starred in some of the most popular films in the 1990s including Friday, Jerry McGuire, Enemy of the State, and Mighty Joe Young. King has won 4 Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time in 2019.

Notable Movies & TV Shows

Character: Regina King portrays real-life U.S. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm as she runs for U.S. President in the 1972 election in Netflix's Shirley.

6 Lance Reddick as Wesley McDonald "Mac" Holder

Reddick passed away in 2023 at the age of 60

Actor: Lance Reddick was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and passed away in Los Angeles in 2023. He rose to prominence on the classic HBO series Oz and also appeared in several episodes of the popular series Lost. He is best known for his iconic television roles as Cedric Daniels in The Wire (2002-2008), Phillip Broyles in Fringe (2008-2013), and Chief Irvin Irving in Bosch (2014-2020). Reddick became a key figure in the popular John Wick franchise as Charon and made his first of several posthumous appearances in film and television with John Wick: Chapter 4.

Notable Movies & TV Shows

Character: Lance Reddick portrays Wesley McDonald "Mac" Holder, a personal friend and advisor to Shirley Chisholm in Netflix's Shirley.

5 Terrence Howard as Arthur Hardwick Jr.

Howard is 55 years old