The Stage

Sophie Okonedo to star in Mandela drama for BBC4

Published Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 12:15 by Matthew Hemley

Sophie Okonedo is to play Winnie Mandela in a one-off drama for the BBC.

Mrs Mandela, a 90-minute drama, will premier on BBC4 later this year, and will focus on Winnie’s relationship with Nelson.

It will follow Winnie from her first meeting with Nelson in the fifties, to the aftermath of his release from prison in 1990.

The drama stars David Harewood as Nelson and David Morrissey as police interrogator Theunis Swanepoel.

BBC4 controller Richard Klein said: “Winnie Mandela is one of the most controversial figures to emerge in South African politics over the past 50 years, yet for many people in Britain she remains a shadowy figure. The time is ripe for a thoughtful exploration of this larger-than-life character and with its strong track record in producing high-quality biopics, BBC4 is the perfect home for the film.”

Mrs Mandela is a Diverse production for the BBC. It is written and directed by Michael Samuels, who wrote The Curse Of Steptoe for BBC4.

Mrs Mandela will be screened on BBC4, with a second showing on BBC2 later in the week it is transmitted.