Fans of the recently canceled Queen Latifah Show need not despair. The former rapper-turn-media mogul will be returning to television screens in 2015 as Bessie Smith in an upcoming HBO film, aptly titled "Bessie." Smith, born into poverty in Chattanooga, TN, became arguably the most popular jazz singer of the 1920's. Before the Great Depression sidelined Smith's career, she recorded and performed alongside the era's most well-known musicians, notably Louie Armstrong on her hit "St. Louis Blues."

"Bessie" is set to star not only Golden Globe-winner Queen Latifah, but a star-studded cast including Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, with Charles S. Dutton and Mo’Nique.

Related: 'The Queen Latifah Show' Is Canceled 
Queen Latifah Will Host 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Concert 

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