Tyler Perry is bringing a new World War II story to the screen with his movie The Six Triple Eight, featuring Kerry Washington.
This film tells the tale of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only Women’s Army Corps unit of color during the war. These women sorted and delivered a huge backlog of mail—17 million pieces!—to American soldiers, lifting their spirits when they needed it the most. Their motto was “No mail, low morale,” and they finished their job in less than 90 days, even though they were given six months.
Recently, the heroics of the 6888th Battalion have been acknowledged. They received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 2022, and Perry’s script is based on a 2019 article by Kevin M. Hymel from WWII History Magazine. Stay tuned for more about the film.
We all love stories of unsung heroes, don’t we?
When will The Six Triple Eight be on Netflix?
The Six Triple Eight is set to hit Netflix this year. Keep checking for updates.
What is The Six Triple Eight about?
This film showcases the amazing journey of the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color that served overseas during World War II.
At the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, Kerry Washington and producer Nicole Avant discussed the film’s impact. Avant mentioned, “Every single person, Black, white, anywhere in between, male, female, anybody can see themselves in those characters… Everything to me is about humanity.”
Washington added, “I felt like these women were with us in this process. You felt their spirit all the time.” Even local residents contributed to the historical authenticity. One man shared a trunk belonging to Charity Adams, filled with her uniforms, letters, and pictures.
Who is in the cast of The Six Triple Eight?
The cast includes many well-known faces:
- Kerry Washington
- Ebony Obsidian
- Milauna Jackson
- Kylie Jefferson
- Shanice Shantay
- Sarah Jeffery
- Pepi Sonuga
- Moriah Brown
- Jeanté Godlock
- Jay Reeves
- Jeffery Johnson
- Baadja-Lyne Odums
- Donna Biscoe
- Gregg Sulkin
- Scott Daniel Johnson
- Susan Sarandon
- Dean Norris
- Sam Waterston
- Oprah Winfrey
Washington shared how she felt a connection to the project. During COVID, she did an Instagram series where she dressed as significant Black women from history, including Lena, a character in the battalion. Avant knew Washington was perfect for the role, telling Tyler Perry, “This is Kerry Washington’s role, period. It has to be Kerry Washington.” And so it was.