As exclusively reported in Deadline, MPI Original Films (MPI) announced today that Sophia Bush (Good Sam, False Positive) and Jeremie Harris (Legion, Fargo) are set to co-star in Freedom Hair, alongside previously announced lead Simona Brown (Behind Her Eyes). Oscar nominee Dianne Houston wrote and is directing the feature film, which is currently shooting in Atlanta.

Produced by MPI, Freedom Hair is based on the true story of Melony Armstrong (played by Simona), a determined mother who sets out to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence but must overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cosmetology cartel and the state of Mississippi. Melony’s efforts led to thousands of African American women in the state of Mississippi following in her footsteps and realizing their own entrepreneurial dreams.

Sophia Bush co-stars as a lawyer named Dana, who helps Melony in her fight. Sophia is an American actress, activist, and entrepreneur. Most recently, she starred in and served as a producer on the CBS television series Good Sam. She also appeared in Ilana Glazer’s False Positive and starred in the indie pic Hard Luck Love Song. Bush recently completed production on Bryan Greenberg’s directorial debut, Junction. Currently, Bush hosts her Wondery podcast, Work in Progress, and she co-hosts the iHeartRadio podcast Drama Queens. Named one of the most charitable celebrities by CNN, Sophia inspires millions as she uses her personal platform and social media influence to raise awareness and funds for great causes.

Jeremie Harris plays opposite Simona as Melony’s loving husband Kevin. Named by Hollywood Reporter as the “Next Big Thing,” Jeremie’s career spans film, television, and theater. He is best known for his starring role as Ptonomy Wallace on three seasons of FX’s Legion, as Leon Bittle on FX’s Fargo, and as Shane Vincent in Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down. In 2019 he starred in Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing directed by Tony Award® winner Kenny Leon, and he starred in the recent film Vampires vs. The Bronx from producer Lorne Michaels. Additional credits include HBO’s Bessie and High Maintenance; CBS’s God Friended Me; and features After Party, The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, and Bushwick which premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Jeremie is a graduate of Juilliard, where he completed extensive theater training that earned him the Leonore Annenberg Arts Fellowship by the Public Theater.

Stacey Parks, Lana Link, and Rob Pfaltzgraff are producing Freedom Hair, while Melony Armstrong, Kim Coleman, and Nick Reid executive produce. Sophia is represented by CAA, Untitled, and Jackoway Austen. Jeremie is represented by CAA and ATA Management.