Don Cheadle (HBO's "The Rat Pack"), Cicely Tyson ("The Diary of Miss Jane Pittman"), Mekhi Phifer ("Soul Food"), Irma P. Hall ("Beloved"), Brent Jennings (HBO's "Don King: Only in America") and Lisa Arrindell Anderson ("Clockers") are set to star in HBO NYC's A LESSON BEFORE DYING, it was announced today by John Matoian, president, HBO Pictures and HBO NYC Productions. Beginning production today in and around New Orleans, the film is based on Ernest J. Gaines' best-selling novel of the same name, which held the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller paperback list, won a National Book Critics Circle Award, and was featured as one of Oprah Winfrey's book club picks.

Directed by Joseph Sargent (HBO's Emmy Award(r)-winning "Miss Evers' Boys"), the film is executive produced by Ellen Krass ("Other People's Money"), Joel Stillerman ("Rounders"), Michael Fuchs (HBO NYC's "In the Gloaming") and Ted Demme ("Beautiful Girls"). Robert Benedetti ("Miss Evers' Boys") is producer. The script is by Ann Peacock.

Set in a small Cajun community in 1940s Louisiana, A LESSON BEFORE DYING tells the story of Jefferson (Phifer), a young black man on death row for a murder he did not commit, and the teacher (Cheadle) who tries to impart learning and pride to him before his execution. Forging a strong bond, the two men struggle to live and die with dignity.

Ernest J. Gaines' "A Lesson Before Dying" has been heralded by critics. The Los Angeles Times called it "enormously moving...Gaines unerringly evokes the place and time about which he writes." The Boston Globe observed, " 'A Lesson Before Dying' reconfirms Ernest J. Gaines' position as an important American writer," while The Chicago Tribune wrote, "this majestic, moving novel is an instant classic, a book that will be read, discussed and taught beyond the rest of our lives."

With about one million copies in print, "A Lesson Before Dying" was published by Knopf in hardcover and by Vintage in paperback. Gaines' other novels include "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" and "A Gathering of Old Men," both of which were also adapted for film.

Don Cheadle has received critical acclaim for his performances in the films "Devil in a Blue Dress," "Rosewood," "Boogie Nights," "Bulworth" and "Out of Sight." His other film credits include "Volcano," "Hamburger Hill," "Colors" and "Meteor Man." Cheadle's TV appearances include starring roles in HBO Pictures' "The Rat Pack" and "Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault," as well as two seasons of "Picket Fences."

Mekhi Phifer has appeared in such films as "Soul Food," "Clockers," "Girl 6" and "High School High." His TV credits include starring roles in the HBO films "The Tuskegee Airmen" and "Subway Stories," as well as guest appearances on "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "New York Undercover." His upcoming films include "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," "Journey from the Jacarandas," "Hell's Kitchen, NYC" and "Tears of a Clown."

Cicely Tyson's long list of film credits include "Life," "Hoodlum," and "Fried Green Tomatoes." On TV she has appeared in "The Autobiography of Ms. Jane Pittman," also based on a Gaines novel, for which she won two Emmy Awards,(r) for Best Actress (Single Performance) and Actress of the Year. Her other TV credits include the Emmy Award(r)-winning "The Oldest Living Confederate Widow," the HBO NYC film "Always Outnumbered" and "The Women of Brewster Place."

Irma P. Hall has appeared in such films as "Beloved," "Soul Food," "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and "Mo' Money." Her TV credits include "Getting Personal," "Touched by an Angel" and "Nothing Sacred." Brent Jennings' HBO projects include "Don King: Only in America" and "Soul of the Game." His film credits include "Another 48 HRS," "Life" and "The Serpent and the Rainbow."

Lisa Arrindell Anderson has appeared in the films "Clockers," "Trial by Jury," "Livin' Large" and "One Good Cop." Her TV roles include "The Steve Harvey Show," "In the House," "As the World Turns" and One Life to Live."

Joseph Sargent's latest projects include "Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment" and "The Wall." He has directed a number of Emmy Award(r)-winning projects, including HBO's "Miss Evers' Boys," plus "Miss Rose White," "Caroline," "Love Is Never Silent" and "The Incident." His other credits include "Mandela and DeKlerk," "The Streets of Laredo" and "My Antonia."

Ellen Krass has produced such shows as HBO's "Mo Funny: Black Comedy in America," "Other People's Money," "American Masters" and the Emmy Award(r)-winning "Sweeney Todd."

Joel Stillerman is co-chair of Spanky Pictures, a full-service film and television production company; his recent feature films include "Rounders" and "Monument Ave." Before joining forces with Demme, he was vice president of production at MTV.

Michael Fuchs was executive producer of HBO NYC's "In the Gloaming."

Together with Joel Stillerman, Ted Demme is co-chair of Spanky Pictures. His directing credits include "Monument Ave.," "Beautiful Girls," "Who's the Man?" and "The Ref."

Robert Benedetti most recently produced the cable movie "Aldrich Ames: Traitor Within." His other credits include HBO's Emmy(r)-winning "Miss Evers' Boys," "The Canterville Ghost," "On Promised Land" and "Fight for Justice," as well as the feature film "Pontiac Moon."