Extra Help

David Oyelowo ("Spooks") has joined the cast of "The Help" according to Variety.

Based upon Kathryn Stockett's book that explores the the complicated use by the upper class matriarchs of their servants in the American South of the early 1960's.

The story follows Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone), a white recent college graduate uncomfortable with the current social norms of Mississippi at the time - a time when black maids did all the work and received no respect. Her plan is to write a book detailing the life of the various maids in the area, but her research soon uncovers not just racism but cruelty and criminal action by white society women, some of them even her friends.
Viola Davis is playing the role of Aibileen, a maid whom aspiring writer Phelan candidly interviews. That interview sets off shock waves that reverberate across the entire community as it uncovers not just racism but cruelty and criminal action by white society women.


Oyelowo will play a Southern preacher.

Bryce Dallas Howard Sissy Spacek, Aunjanue Ellis and Chris Lowell also star.

Tate Taylor is directing and adapted the script

Taylor, Brunson Green, Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus and Mark Radcliffe will produce the pic.

Filming is underway