Anika Noni Rose Lands Lead Role In CBS Civil Rights Pilot Directed By Ava DuVernayPosted by Wilson Morales
March 4, 2015
Source: Deadline
Anika Noni Rose has landed the lead role in CBS’ crime drama drama pilot ‘For Justice,’ that will be directed by Selma’s Ava DuVernay. Rose joins Phylicia Rashad, who was previously cast in a supporting role.
This marks a reunion between the ladies, who starred in Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls.
Written by Law & Order veteran Rene Balcer, the project is based on James Patterson’s debut crime novel, The Thomas Berryman Number. It centers on Special Agent Natalia “Nat” Chappel (Rose), a cool, laser-focused, tough as nails FBI agent who works in the Criminal Section of the Department of Civil Rights Division and finds herself caught between the radical family she was born into and the professional family she has chosen.
The Department of Justice formed the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division in 1957. Starting in the 60’s, the lawyers from the department teamed up with FBI agents. These teams still exist today in the department but with a nationwide focus — in 2012 alone, 6700 different hate crimes were clocked by the FBI.
Balcer, who serves as showrunner, executive produces For Justice with Tribeca’s Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal and James Patterson Entertainment’s James Patterson, Leopoldo Gout and Bill Robinson.
Rose, who’s a Tony Award winner for “Caroline, or Change.” had a recurring role on the network’s drama series “The Good Wife.” She was last seen in the Lifetime film “A Day Late and a Dollar Short.”
