The Piano Lesson: Here’s when you can expect the release

Netflix is set to bring to the screen an adaptation of the critically acclaimed play The Piano Lesson. The play, which recently concluded its successful Broadway run featuring Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington, will see both actors reprise their roles in the upcoming film. Scheduled for a late 2024 release, here’s an overview of everything we know so far about Netflix’s The Piano Lesson.

Directorial Debut

The movie marks the directorial debut of Malcolm Washington, who has previously worked as a second unit director on films such as The Last Bookstore and The Trouble Man. The script is a collaborative effort between Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams, known for Mudbound, 24, and Criminal Minds. The project is produced by Denzel Washington, Katia Washington, and Todd Black, as mentioned in a report by What’s On Netflix.

Announcement and Background

Netflix announced its plan to adapt August Wilson’s play in March 2021. This will be Netflix's second adaptation of an August Wilson play, following the success of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which earned the streaming service two Oscars in late 2021.


The Piano Lesson, originally written in 1987, is one of Wilson’s most celebrated works. The play has won numerous accolades, including a Pulitzer Prize in 1990. It was previously adapted into a movie in 1995, featuring Charles S. Dutton, Alfre Woodard, and Carl Gordon.

Broadway Success

In 2010, Denzel Washington and Viola Davis starred in the Broadway revival of another August Wilson play, Fences, both winning Tony Awards for their performances. The recent Broadway run of The Piano Lesson, which ended on January 29, 2023, was dubbed the "event of the season," receiving rave reviews from both critics and audiences, as per the What’s On Netflix report.

Plot Synopsis

The story centers around an ornately carved upright piano, a prized possession of the Charles family, gathering dust in Berniece Charles’s Pittsburgh home. The plot thickens when Berniece’s brother, Boy Willie, arrives with a dream of buying the Mississippi land their family once worked as slaves. To fund his dream, he plans to sell the antique piano, but Berniece refuses, clinging to it as a symbol of their family legacy. This conflict forms the crux of the narrative, highlighting the struggles between preserving history and seeking progress.

Production Details

Currently in pre-production, filming for The Piano Lesson is scheduled to start on April 17, 2023, primarily in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite the story’s original setting in Pittsburgh, the choice of Georgia for filming has been embraced by the production team.

According to WGXA, additional scenes will be filmed in Macon, Georgia, due to the location's visual appeal. “They fell in love with what they saw here in Macon and wanted to film a few more scenes they felt were perfect,” said Visit Macon Senior Vice President & COO Aaron Buzza. The scheduled wrap date for filming is tentatively set for June 17, 2023.

Release and Rating

Netflix has not yet confirmed an official release date for The Piano Lesson but has included it in its 2024 film release lineup. The film, expected to be a strong contender in the awards circuit, may premiere at events like the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The movie has been officially rated PG for strong language, violent content, some suggestive references, and smoking. The runtime is confirmed to be 2 hours and 5 minutes.

FAQs

What is The Piano Lesson about?
The Piano Lesson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by August Wilson, is set in Pittsburgh in 1936. It tells the story of the Charles family and their plans for a family piano, which is intricately carved with images of their ancestors who were enslaved by the piano's former owner.

Is there a movie version of The Piano Lesson?
In April 2023, it was announced that Malcolm Washington would make his feature directorial and screenwriting debut with the film adaptation of August Wilson's play The Piano Lesson. The film will star his brother John David Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.