Author: Mike Nova

Academy Award winner Regina King stars as Shirley Chisholm.Regina King, left, as Shirley Chisholm in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Chisholm, right, in Washington, DC on January 25, 1972.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; OHalloran/Library of Congress/Interim Archives/Getty Images

Chisholm, born in Brooklyn, was the first Black woman elected to the US Congress. She served for seven terms from 1969 to 1983. She died at age 80 in 2005.

King has been acting professionally since the ’80s, beginning with the TV show “227.” She’s known for her roles in films like “Jerry Maguire,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “A Cinderella Story,” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” which earned the actor an Oscar in 2019.

King also won a Primetime Emmy for her performance as Angela Abar/Sister Night on HBO’s limited series adaptation of the graphic novel “Watchmen.”

She made her feature film directorial debut with the 2020 movie “One Night in Miami…,” based on a stage play of the same name about a meeting between legendary figures Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke.

Lucas Hedges portrays Robert Gottlieb, Chisholm’s former intern who served as a youth coordinator during her presidential campaign.Lucas Hedges, left, as Robert Gottlieb in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Gottlieb, right, in New York on March 13, 1989.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; John Cornell/Newsday RM via Getty Images

Gottlieb is still alive and has his own firm called Robert C. Gottlieb & Associates PLLC. He has also been supportive of “Shirley” and attended the film’s Los Angeles premiere.

Hedges is known for his Oscar-nominated performance in “Manchester by the Sea,” as well as roles in films like “Moonrise Kingdom,” “Lady Bird,” and “Boy Erased.”

Stage and screen actor Michael Cherrie plays Conrad Chisholm, a private investigator and Shirley’s first husband. Michael Cherrie, left, as Conrad Chisholm in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Chisholm, right, in Brooklyn on March 25, 1971.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; Tom Maguire/Newsday RM via Getty Images

The pair were married from 1949 to 1977.

Prior to “Shirley,” Cherrie starred in various projects in his home country of Trinidad and Tobago. He also appeared in US stage adaptations of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Lobby Hero,” “Othello,” and “Romeo and Juliet.”

Dorian Missick portrays politician Ron Dellums. Dorian Missick, left, as Ron Dellums in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Dellums, right, in July 1974.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; Denver Post via Getty Images

Dellums was a member of the US House of Representatives from 1971 to 1998 and served as the mayor of Oakland, California, from 2007 to 2011. He also cofounded the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in 1971 with Chisholm and others.

Missick has appeared on shows like “Luke Cage,” “Southland,” and “For Life.”

“The Changeling” and “Queen Sugar” star Amirah Vann plays actor and singer Diahann Carroll. Amirah Vann, left, as Diahann Carroll in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Carroll, right, in 1974.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; AP

Carroll was recognized for playing the titular role on the TV series “Julia,” which earned her a Golden Globe award in 1968. The show was noteworthy for being the first to center on a Black woman who wasn’t a servant.

She also landed an Oscar nomination for her performance in the film “Claudine.” Throughout her career, Carroll was nominated for three Emmys for “Julia,” “A Different World,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” She was also a Grammy nominee and Tony Award winner for her work in “No Strings.”

Vann is best known for roles on the TV shows “Underground” and “How to Get Away With Murder.”

W. Earl Brown stars as segregationist and former Alabama governor George Wallace.W. Earl Brown, left, as George Wallace in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Wallace, right, in Miami Beach on July 12, 1972.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; Bettmann

Wallace, a brazen supporter of segregation, was Chisholm’s competitor in the Democratic primary campaign. He became paralyzed from the waist down after a failed assassination attempt in 1972.

Brown is known for playing Dan Dority on the TV series “Deadwood.” He also portrayed a Weequay proprietor on the “Star Wars” shows “The Mandalorian” and “The Book of Boba Fett.”

“Moonlight” star André Holland portrays DC congressional delegate Walter Fauntroy. André Holland, left, as Walter Fauntroy in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Fauntroy, right, in July 1985.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; Guy DeLort/Penske Media via Getty Images

Fauntroy was a civil rights activist who cofounded the Congressional Black Caucus.

In addition to starring in Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight,” Holland also had roles in “American Horror Story,” “Castle Rock,” “Passing,” and “Bones and All.”

Oscar nominee Terrence Howard portrays Arthur Hardwick, Chisholm’s second husband. Terrence Howard, left, as Arthur Hardwick in the Netflix film “Shirley.” The real Hardwick, right, in November 1977.

Glen Wilson/Netflix; NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

Hardwick was a fundraiser and advisor during Chisholm’s 1972 campaign. They were married from 1977 until his death in 1986.

Howard has been acting since the ’90s and is known for roles in “Hustle & Flow,” “Crash,” and “Empire.”

King Charles, who has also been diagnosed with cancer, expressed support for his “beloved daughter-in-law.”Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton in 2023.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images For Buckingham Palace

Charles and Kate were both hospitalized at The London Clinic in January.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson told BBC News that Charles “remained in the closest contact” with Kate and that he and his wife, Queen Camilla, would “continue to offer their love and support to the whole family through this difficult time.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sent wishes of “health and healing.”Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton in 2018.

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

“We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace,” they said in a statement to BBC News.

Kate’s brother, James Middleton, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram with a photo of them as children.James Middleton and Pippa Middleton at King Charles’ coronation in 2023.

ANDREW MILLIGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together,” he captioned a photo of them as children on Instagram. “As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak released a statement saying that Kate “has the love and support of the whole country.”Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

In a statement posted to X, Sunak commended Kate for her “tremendous bravery” and wrote that the Princess of Wales had been “unfairly treated by certain sections of the media around the world and on social media” in recent weeks.

“When it comes to matters of health, like everyone else, she must be afforded the privacy to focus on her treatment and with her loving family,” Sunak wrote. “I know I speak for the whole country in wishing her a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in action when she’s ready.”

First lady Jill Biden wrote on X that Kate is “brave.” Kate Middleton and U.S. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

Photo by Jack Hill – WPA Pool / Getty Images

Biden echoed Sunak’s statement in a brief post on X, pointing to Kate’s courage amid her treatment.

“You are brave, and we love you,” she wrote Friday.

Ivanka Trump wrote on Instagram that she was “deeply saddened” to hear about Kate’s diagnosis.Ivanka Trump visits Buckingham Palace in 2019.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

In a statement posted to her Instagram Stories, Trump called the rampant speculation around Kate’s condition “disheartening” and urged the public to respect her privacy.

“Amidst the trial she faces, her strength and grace continue to shine brightly,” Trump wrote.

The statement continued: “I hope for her swift and full recovery, and I look forward to seeing her continue to inspire and make a positive impact in the lives of others.”

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones sent well-wishes to the Princess of Wales.Catherine Zeta-Jones at the Cannes film festival in 2023.

Ernesto S. Ruscio/Getty Images for Campari

“Wales and the World is with you HRH Princess of Wales,” she wrote. “Love to you always.”