Oprah Winfrey to star in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" film adaptation

ajc.com

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Oprah Winfrey will star in an HBO Films adaptation of the bestselling nonfiction book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks."

MORE: Oprah gives preview of Atlanta-filmed "Greenleaf"

Rebecca Skloot's book tells the incredible story of Henrietta Lacks.

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Credit: Getty Images

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Credit: Getty Images

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ajc.com

Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

"Told through the eyes of her daughter, Deborah Lacks (to be played by Winfrey), the film chronicles her search to learn about the mother she never knew and to understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks' cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever.

It’s a story of medical arrogance and triumph, race, poverty and deep friendship between the unlikeliest of people.”