‘The United States Vs. Billie Holiday’ Trailer: Andra Day Goes To Court Over “Strange Fruit”
Andra Daytransforms into “Lady Day” inThe United States vs. Billie Holiday, the upcomingLee Danielsbiopic about the iconic Blues singer that will debut on Hulu this February. WatchThe United States vs. Billie Holidaytrailer below.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday Trailer
Lee Daniels' biographical drama,The United States vs. Billie Holiday, was originally set to hit theaters on July 20, 2025, but financier New Slate Ventures sold the film to Hulu for a streaming release. At the time, it was not confirmed whether or not the film would make it to theaters too, but last week, Paramount officiallypulled it from its theatrical schedule, making it a Hulu-exclusive debut.
Starring Day (Cars 3) in her live-action feature film debut,The United States vs. Billie Holidayfollows Holiday early in her career as she is “targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair” and marks Daniels' big return to feature filmmaking after 2013’sThe Butler. And considering the director’s history of Oscar-nominated fare likeThe ButlerandPrecious, we can expect Day to get some late awards season buzz in what is expected to be the Grammy nominee’s breakout role.
Based on her performance in the trailer, Day certainly nails the Lady Day’s signature raspy vocals, performing the classic Blues songs with a fiery passion — especially Billie Holiday’s hit track “Strange Fruit,” a controversial song about lynching that would earn her the ire of the FBI, and make her the target of a federal investigation that — along with her drug addiction — would send her to prison and derail her career.
Daniels directs the film from a script by playwrightSuzan-Lori Parks. Day is joined in the cast byNatasha Lyonne,Garrett Hedlund,Miss Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Evan Ross, Tyler James Williams, Tone Bell, andErik LaRay Harvey.
The United States Vs. Billie Holidayis set to debut on Hulu onFebruary 26, 2021.
