Dinah Washington biopic in the works from executive producer Danny Glover

A major biopic focusing on the famous jazz and blues singer Dinah Washington is in development. The film has enlisted British playwright Winsome Pinnock to write the screenplay, along with actor Danny Glover as an executive producer.

Washington's musical influence is significant, having impacted early rock and roll and R&B singers like Etta James and Ruth Brown, as well as later artists such as Amy Winehouse. Washington's legacy was further cemented by her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

The narrative will centre on two weeks Washington spent in London at the height of her career, following the global success of her 1959 Grammy-winning 'What a Diff'rence a Day Made.'

“Dinah was a superlative musician who harnessed the power of music to disrupt, resist, and heal,” Pinnock said in a statement to Deadline. “ While her rebelliousness came at a cost, it allowed her to transcend the expectations placed on Black women and blaze a trail for every artist who came after her.”

Pinnock was the first Black British woman to have a play staged by the National Theatre. She is best known for her works Leave Taking, Rockets and Blue Lights and The Authenticator.

“Dinah’s voice was a force of nature. It could break your heart and lift your spirit in the same breath,” said Glover. “As someone who has spent decades honoring the legacy of jazz and blues, I see this film as essential. I was honored and excited to become involved in this project.”

Glover is an actor, producer and political activist. He is best known for his roles in The Color Purple, the Leathal Weapon series, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He has been nominated for five Emmy Awards and four Grammy awards.

Washington’s grandchildren are also supporting the project.

“Our grandmother’s singing went beyond the lyrics,” they said in a statement. “It was a connection with her audience rooted in shared emotion, struggle, and truth. Preserving her legacy is incredibly important to us, and we cannot wait to share her story with audiences around the world.”