'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel': Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about Lifetime's biopic
'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel' is a biographical film about gospel group 'The Clark Sisters', who were an American gospel vocal group made up of five sisters - Jacky Clark Chisholm, Denise "Niecy" Clark Bradford, Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, Dorinda Clark-Cole, and Karen Clark Sheard.
The sisters have been credited with pioneering contemporary gospel music by making it mainstream. They have won three Grammys and remain the highest-selling gospel group in history. Their largest hit was the song 'You Brought the Sunshine', but their discography also includes hits like 'Is My Living in Vain', 'Hallelujah', 'He Gave Me Nothing to Lose', 'Endow Me', 'Jesus Is A Love Song', 'Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)', 'Pure Gold' and 'Expect Your Miracle'.
Despite their remarkable mark on the history of modern music, this will be the first time audiences get a true look into the group's journey since it is the first authorized biopic about them.
Release date
'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel' will premiere on Lifetime on April 11, 2020.
Plot
The biopic will revolve around the formation of 'The Clark Sisters', including looking into their background as the daughters and students of gospel musician, choral director, and devout Christian Dr Mattie Moss Clark as well as their journey from being a small gospel group in their hometown of Detroit to becoming the highest-selling gospel group in music history.
Cast
The film stars Aunjanue Ellis from 'When They See Us' as Mattie Moss Clark and Raven Goodwin from 'Good Luck Charlie' as Denise Clark-Bradford. Angela Birchett stars as Jacky Clark Chisholm.
Gospel vocalist Christina Bell stars as Elbernita 'Twinkie' Clark, Grammy-nominated gospel singer Kierra Sheard stars as her real-life mother Karen Clark Sheard and R&B singer Sheléa Frazier stars as Dorinda Clark-Cole.
The producers have previously noted that the sisters were personally consulted regarding the story, including estranged sister Denise Clark-Bradford, but declined to specify just how much she participated in the film.
Director
'The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel' is directed by Christine Swanson and written by Sylvia L Jones.
Producers
The film is produced by rappers Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott, R&B singer-songwriter Mary J Blige and Holly Carter. Latifah's 'Flavor Unit Productions' greenlit the film in 2019, and all four women served as executive producers for the film.
Trailer
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