Acccording to Variety, S. Epatha Merkerson has join the cast of Black Snake Moan. "Black Snake Moan", directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow), involves a white nymphomaniac who must be "cured" of her disorder by an older black bluesman. "Black Snake Moan", which stars Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, and Justin Timberlake, will be produced by John Singleton and Stephanie Allain. Paramount Classics will release the film in 2006. Merkerson, who recently won an Emmy Award her performance in the HBO film, Lackawanna Blues, continues to play Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on the long running NBC series, Law and Order.