Grady High alumnus makes television film debut Saturday

Atlanta actress and Grady High School graduate Danielle Deadwyler will make her television film debut Saturday night in the Gospel Music Channel (GMC) world premier of “A Cross to Bear.” Deadwyler stars as the film’s featured character, “Erica,’’ as the movie captures the life of a young woman in trouble.

The film also stars Kim Fields (“Facts of Live,” “Living Single”) and Malinda Williams (Idlewild, “Soul Food”) and will premier Saturday at 7 p.m., with encore performances at 9 and 11 p.m.

This is a movie about life’s trials and tribulation as in less than a year’s time, Erica battles alcoholism, breaks up with her boyfriend, ends up homeless on the streets, and loses her baby. Through it all, Erica tries to overcome the hardships with hope, faith, and a lot of tough love from a women’s safe house owner played by Fields.

At this week’s preview at the Midtown Art Cinema, Deadwyler was at a loss for words when asked about landing the featured role in the film. “I don’t know what to say. A lot of issues were brought up in the film that adheres to stereotypes,” she said.

Deadwyler affirmed that the film was not about race, but about all types of people learning to grow from the inside out. “I respected that about the film. You live in the psyche of what you read on the script….homelessness is a big deal in America.”

Deadwyler was raised in southwest Atlanta off Stewart Avenue (now Metropolitan). “I grew up in a neighborhood that wasn’t so magnificent,” she said. “I still had the power to do what I wanted to do.”

The Spelman College graduate said that she would have never imagined this for herself. Since she was a small child, she has been active in dance and theater here in Atlanta, including having worked with Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theater.

Although there were no church scenes in the film, the characters demonstrated a strong faith in God through reading the bible and prayer. R&B singers Angie Stone (“No More Rain,” “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”) and Kenny Lattimore (“Never Too Busy,” “For You”) also had supporting roles in the film.

Although Fields’ character was the caretaker and mother figure, she too had a past of struggles that was revealed in the film. “I am very excited about the script and the director and the rest of the characters,” said Fields. “I was nervous, but it felt great to challenge myself as an actor and stretch out a bit more. It felt really good.”

Said director Tandria Potts, “We hope you leave inspired.”

Brad Siegel, a representative of GMC, added that network executives loved the film. “This film is about faith, family, and community. There is nothing cliché about this movie. It’s powerful.”