Oscar contender Danielle Deadwyler is gearing up for awards season with her role in The Piano Lesson, aiming to bring attention to the film. Her performance in Malcolm Washington’s directorial debut, where she portrays the emotionally driven widow Berniece, will be submitted for consideration in the supporting actress category, according to Variety.
John David Washington, her co-star, will campaign as the film’s leading actor, while Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, and Corey Hawkins will compete for supporting actor recognition. The film is expected to be entered into all major categories, including best picture and several technical achievements.
Set in 1936 Pittsburgh, the story—adapted from August Wilson’s Century Cycle—follows the Charles family as they confront generational trauma and the lingering presence of their ancestors.
A family piano, intricately carved with the stories of their past, becomes the focal point of their struggle, symbolizing the violence and suffering they’ve endured. The decision of whether to sell or preserve the piano as a tribute to those sacrifices becomes central to the narrative.
While Deadwyler’s role could arguably be classified as a leading part, her portrayal of Berniece has traditionally been placed in the supporting category for awards campaigns.
On Broadway, the character was previously played by S. Epatha Merkerson in 1990 and Danielle Brooks in 2023, both earning critical acclaim. Merkerson even received a Tony nomination for best featured actress in a play.
Deadwyler’s recent work in Till (2022) had her poised for an Oscar nomination, but despite earning a SAG nomination for best actress, she was surprisingly overlooked. John David Washington similarly missed out on an Academy Award nomination after receiving praise for his role in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman (2018), despite Golden Globe and SAG nods.
Meanwhile, Samuel L. Jackson, whose last Oscar nomination was for his iconic role in Pulp Fiction (1994), returns as Doaker Charles, a character that earned him a Tony nomination for the recent Broadway production of The Piano Lesson. However, competition for supporting actor might be tough, with Ray Fisher’s portrayal of Lymon generating considerable attention.
Malcolm Washington is poised to make a mark with his feature directorial debut, likely being a strong contender for the Directors Guild of America’s award for first-time directors. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Virgil Williams, who was previously nominated for Mudbound (2017), making the duo contenders for best adapted screenplay.
As the third film adaptation of an August Wilson play, The Piano Lesson is produced by Denzel Washington and his producing partner Todd Black, who were previously nominated for best picture with Fences (2016). Denzel Washington also has a major role in the upcoming Gladiator II, which could see him back in the spotlight this awards season.
The Piano Lesson will hit theaters on Nov. 8, with a streaming release on Netflix set for Nov. 22.