In what will hopefully be an emmy nominated perfomance, Tichina Arnold, who's best known for her roles in 'Martin' as well as 'Everyone Hates Chris', does a serious turn in the TV drama, 'The Lena Baker Story'.
'The Lena Baker Story' takes place in the early 1900's through 1945 in Cuthbert, Georgia. It's the story of one woman's attempt to rise above the challenges of life, the choices she makes, and the consequences of those choices. The moment she thinks she has overcome her inner demons, she is called to work for Elliot Arthur, a father, a millworker and a drunk. As their relationship unfolds, it becomes strange, strained, and highly unacceptable for the time. Elliot Arthur needs Lena and in return Lena seems to need him. He abuses her and keeps her from her children by imprisoning her in his home. When she has finally had enough, Lena stands up and attempts to break free from the bondage of Elliot Arthur. A struggle ensues, and Elliot Arthur, a white man, is shot by Lena Baker, an African-American woman, on a hot, humid night in Southwest Georgia in 1945.
A jury of 12 white men, her subpoenaed peers, found Lena guilty of murder in less than 6 hours. She received the death penalty as her sentence, earning Lena Baker a place in history as the first and only woman to be sentenced to death by electric chair in the state Georgia. She was pardoned posthumously in 2005.
'The Lena Baker Story' was written, directed, and produced by Ralph Wilcox. It is based on a true story and was inspired by Dr. Lela Bond Phillips' book Lena Baker Story.
Cast also includes Beverly Todd, Peter Coyote, Michael Rooker.
No airdate has been set as of yet.
1. This will be amazing....but I'm usually torn when viewing stories like this....entertained by the talents of those portraying those who've struggled so in the not-so-distant past, and emotionally drained and frustrated by the ignorance and hatred of others who were the perpetrators of those times.
None the less, I know that Ms. Arnold will be excellent in her role as Ms. Baker. It's great to see her in a serious acting role.
Robbie Rob at 12:44PM on Jul 17th 2008