Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix film has announced 16 cast members, including Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Susan Sarandon, Sarah Jeffery and Jay Reeves. The project began principal photography this week.

The film reunites Perry and Washington, as Washington starred in his 2013 film, Peeples. This is also the first film that longtime friends Perry and Winfrey have collaborated on as actor and director/writer.

The cast also includes Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Pepi Sonuga, Jeanté Godlock, Moriah Brown, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Gregg Sulkin with Dean Norris and Sam Waterston.

It is directed and written by Perry, based on an article by Kevin M. Hymel published in WWII History Magazine by Sovereign Media. 

Here’s the synopsis: Six Triple Eight tells the inspiring true story of the incredible and brave women of the only all-black, all-female World War 2 Battalion. These 855 women joined the war effort with little knowledge of what exactly they would be doing, but were quickly given the mission of a lifetime: sort through and fix the three-year backlog of undelivered mail. A herculean task, that most thought to be impossible, the women not only succeeded but did it in half the time they were given. Facing discrimination, unfamiliar land, and a war-torn country, they persevered and sorted over 17 million pieces of mail, reconnecting American soldiers with their families and loved ones back home. The motto that kept them going each day was one they created themselves: “No Mail, Low Morale.” The women of the 6888 weren’t just delivering mail, they were delivering hope. The story of the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion has been kept out of history books, ignored by the national spotlight, until now — nearly 75 years later. On March 14th, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the bill for the women to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor. 

Producers include Perry, Nicole Avant for Her Excellency Productions, Keri Selig for Intuition Productions, Carlota Espinosa, Angi Bones and Tony Strickland for Tyler Perry Studios. Executive producers are Peter Guber for Mandalay Pictures and Kerry Washington.

This is Perry’s fourth film for Netflix following A Fall From Grace, A Madea Homecoming and A Jazzman’s Blues.