Netflix is preparing for the release of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, a film adaptation of August Wilson’s classic stage play that tells the story of a recording session for blues icon Ma Rainey and a trumpet player named Levee. Levee is played by Chadwick Boseman in what turned out to be the actor’s final performance before his shocking death last August after a lengthy, largely secret battle with cancer. Early reviews have buzzed about Boseman’s performance, which seems likely to net him a posthumous Oscar nomination.
The movie comes out on Friday but you can see a clip of Boseman’s performance right now, along with Domingo and Potts.
The film co-stars Viola Davis as Ma Rainey herself, and also features the likes of Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman and Michael Potts. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is directed by George Wolfe. You can watch the trailer here.