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Ruben Santiago-Hudson in Hurston's 'Eyes'

Ruben Santiago-Hudson in the studios of NPR West in Culver City, Calif.
Toyia Baker, NPR
Ruben Santiago-Hudson in the studios of NPR West in Culver City, Calif.

Zora Neale Hurston's best-known novel Their Eyes Were Watching God makes its television debut Sunday on ABC. The cast lineup includes Halle Berry in the role of Janie Crawford, the heroine of the Harlem Renaissance masterpiece.

Hurston's novel tells the story of a fiercely independent woman who tries to define life on her terms, and experiences life's highs and lows in three intricate love affairs.

Actor and playwright Ruben Santiago-Hudson recently saw his one-man story develop into an HBO drama called Lackawanna Blues. Halle Berry was the executive producer for that project, and in Their Eyes Were Watching God he plays one of Janie's love interests.

Santiago-Hudson stopped by the studios of NPR West to talk about Hurston's work, his longtime friendship with Halle Berry and his role in the ABC film.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.