There will be a open Casting call for BET Miniseries ”The Book of Negroes” today in Shelbourne, Nova Scotia.
“Book of Negroes” is inspired by the award winning Lawrence Hill book and will star Oscar winner Cuba Gooding JR. & Oscar winner Lou Gossett Jr. This will be a 6 part mini-series that will air on BET in both the United States and Canada. The production has just wrapped filming in South Africa and has now moved to Shelbourne where it will film through the end of May. The film is being produced by Canadian production company Conquering Lion Pictures, Out of Africa and eOne Television along with others.
The film needs to fill hundreds of roles including extras, featured extras and other small parts. The miniseries will begin production in Shelbourne on April 22nd and casting directors at Hennessey casting are looking for extras who can work that week and have availability to work during the last week in April.
Bill Niven is the producer for the film and Niven stated that ”Part of the story in the book is that members of the black community were brought up from the southern U.S. to Nova Scotia, mostly in Shelburne but to some other communities as well, so we’re shooting in Shelburne, but we’re also shooting in Louisbourg,” Niven also added the film project is looking for “anyone over the age of 16 and we’re looking for men, women and we’re hoping we’ll get a good turnout from the African-Nova Scotian community.”
The story follows Aminata Diallo, who is kidnapped from West Africa at the dawn of the 18th century, survives a harrowing Atlantic crossing, is separated from her love and must navigate the American Revolution before returning to Sierra Leone, and ultimately securing her freedom in England. The six one-hour-episode series will feature Oscar winners Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lou Gossett Jr. The main character, Aminata Diallo, will be played by Aunjanue Ellis, who has been in “Ray,” “The Help,” “Men of Honour,” “The Mentalist,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “The Good Wife.”
Adults over 16 years of age are welcome to come down to the Loyalist Inn Hotel to meet with casting directors to maybe score a part in the project.
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the North Preston Community Centre, 44 Simmons Rd., North Preston.
Sunday April 6: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Loyalist Inn Hotel – 1 60 Water Street.
Those that can not get to the open call today, can also register online at www.hennesseycasting.com.
This will be the last of the open calls. The production just recently completed open calls in other cities.
The film site indiewire recently published pictures of the sets used in the South African part of this production.
