Cynthia Erivo is set to portray yet another real-life trailblazer. The star of “Harriet” and the forthcoming “Genius: Aretha” has signed on to topline a biopic about Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a 19th-century African princess and patron of Queen Victoria’s court, a press release confirmed. The multi-hyphenate will also produce with Solome Williams via her Edith’s Daughter shingle. Rienkje Attoh (“A Moving Image”) and Leah Clarke (“The Mauritanian”) are also among the project’s producers.
Bonetta was born Omoba Aina, an Egbado princess of the Yoruba people. After being orphaned and enslaved by a West African king, she was “‘gifted’ to Queen Victoria in 1850, taken to England, and renamed ‘Sarah Forbes Bonetta,'” the source details. “The Queen’s patronship was a thorny rose that put Sarah at the center of British aristocracy but did not shield her from public scrutiny, personal suffering, or the dangers of a capricious court which was fundamentally suspicious of her as a strong, educated Black woman.”
No word on a screenwriter or director yet, but the film is described as “a celebration of Sarah, a modern, strategic, determined heroine who found a way to embrace her Black-ness, her African-ness and to ultimately find love: forging a path for herself that honored both her heritage and her upbringing.”
BBC Film is financing, and Walter Dean Myers’ book “At Her Majesty’s Request” has been optioned as source material.
“I am excited to embark on this journey,” Erivo said. “It has taken a long time to get to a point where we can even begin to realize this dream. As a Nigerian British woman, to get the opportunity to tell the story of another Nigerian British woman who until now has been erased from the history books, is an honor.” She added, “Miss Sarah Forbes Bonetta, Omoba Aina, is truly a passion of mine and I’m so pleased to have been able to find partners in the incredible women, Leah Clarke and Rienkje Attoh, to tell the story and finally give her a voice. I cannot wait to dive into her story. She is indeed the forgotten princess, forgotten no more.”
Bonetta’s arrival at Queen Victoria’s court was previously depicted in an episode of ITV historical drama “Victoria.”
This year, Erivo was the sole actor of color nominated at the Oscars. She was up for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her depiction of Harriet Tubman in “Harriet.” She also landed a Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures nod for the biopic’s original song, “Stand Up.”
Erivo’s other screen credits include “Widows” and “The Outsider.” She won a Tony, a Grammy, and an Emmy for her turn in the Broadway stage production of “The Color Purple.” Her upcoming projects include the third season of anthology “Genius,” which will center Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, sci-fi thriller “Carrier,” and musical drama “Talent Show.”
