Sanaa Lathan is set to embrace a notorious television personality in her next project, according to a report by Deadline on Wednesday (Jan. 10).
Legendary Entertainment is developing a series where Lathan is cast as Youree Dell Harris, famously known as the fictitious psychic Miss Cleo. In addition to her acting role, Lathan will also serve as an executive producer alongside former Sony Pictures Television Head of Drama, Sharon Hall.
Miss Cleo gained prominence in the 1990s as the spokesperson for Psychic Readers Network, a pay-per-minute call service. The character, complete with a fabricated Jamaican background, a tie-in book, and more, faced controversy over allegations of deceptive and fraudulent advertising. Although the owners of Psychic Readers Network were later indicted, Harris managed to avoid legal consequences. She continued to work in various formats, such as providing the voice for Auntie Poulet in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, until her passing in 2016 at the age of 53.
In 2023, Lathan was last seen in the drama film “Young. Wild. Free.” alongside Algee Smith, Sierra Capri, and Mike Epps. The independent film premiered at the Sundance Festival, and, according to the film’s director Thembi Banks, it is currently seeking a distributor for a wider release. Banks expressed the challenges of navigating the indie film market, citing the need to find the right offer that aligns with the film’s unique circumstances and goals.
