‘Steel Magnolias’ Blooms Again with Queen Latifah and All Black Cast

Annette Brown/A+E Networks

Nearly 23 years after its release on the big screen, the iconic Southern drama “Steel Magnolias” is getting a made-for-TV reboot with Queen Latifah and an all-black cast.

Latifah, who also serves as an executive producer on the film, which airs Sunday on Lifetime, steps into the role of M’Lynn, the matriarch made famous by Sally Field.

“I wasn’t intimidated at all,” Latifah told “Good Morning America” earlier this week about remaking the tearjerker and fan favorite. “I was really excited, especially when we got the cast that we did.”

“It’s such a great story about friendship and family and relationships and being with each other through the ups and downs,” she said.

Joining Latifah on screen are Alfre Woodard as the cranky Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine’s role), Phylicia Rashad as her sidekick Clairee (Olympia Dukakis’ role) and Rashad’s real-life daughter Condola Rashad as M’Lynn’s daughter Shelby, the role originated by Julia Roberts. Jill Scott plays Truvy (Dolly Parton’s role), the owner of the salon where the women come together, and her assistant Annelle, originally played by Daryl Hannah, is portrayed by “Pariah” star Adepero Oduye.

“You’re in awe,” Latifah told GMA about working with the others. “The energy on the set was just great.”

Latifah joined with executive producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, her collaborators on “Chicago” and “Hairspray,” to update the classic tale for a new generation. The three of them recently discussed in a conference call why they wanted to do a remake, what it was like taking on these iconic roles and what’s ahead.

Why A Remake

Meron: I think that our point of view is that we think “Steel Magnolias” is a timeless and universal piece and it just works in whatever community you set it in that you don’t even have to underline it. It just works. And I think that that really defines what classic material it is. And part of the reason why we also wanted to do it is because, you know, no women roles are written as well as these roles. And we want to show off our great actresses.