‘Six Triple Eight’ Movie Cast And Characters Guide

When it comes to period pieces that chronicle real-life incidents, characterization becomes much more significant—for quite obvious reasons, as there needs to be a resemblance between the person in real life and their on-screen portrayal. Director Tyler Perry’s war drama The Six Triple Eight, which revolves around the real-life heroics of the titular battalion of all-Black female soldiers during the Second World War, presented the bitter reality of existing racial prejudice in the armed forces. As the movie introduced a number of historical figures while bringing the unsung war heroes to life, needless to say a strong ensemble cast was essential to do justice to their silver screen counterparts. Thankfully, the strength of The Six Triple Eight is showcased through the performance of its cast, stacked with some prolific actors from contemporary media. 

Major Charity Adams, Played By Kerry Washington

Actor Kerry Washington has won several accolades in her three-decade-long acting career, which includes roles on the small screen, the silver screen, and on Broadway as well. While her compelling performances in TV series like Scandal and Little Fires Everywhere and movies like For Colored Girls and American Son have made her a dependable actor, her portrayal of Broomhilda in Django Unchained might be the role viewers are most familiar with. In The Six Triple Eight, Kerry Washington portrays the role of real-life Major Charity Adams—the mercurial leader of 6888th battalion—and Kerry’s performance is quite literally the heart and soul of the movie. As a high-ranking army officer and woman of color surviving in an arena dominated by egotistical white men, Major Charity commands a strong presence through her no-nonsense, fearless, and uncompromising attitude. In a field where even subordinates dare to talk back to her using racist remarks, Major Adams knows that, in order to prove her mettle, her actions need to speak louder than her words. Showing tough love to the soldiers of her unit, Major Adams ensures to instill her resilience, strong will, and never-give-up attitude within them to prepare them for a world that hadn’t yet inculcated the virtues of equality (and still hasn’t). Kerry Washington’s portrayal of Major Adams was layered, as her tough-as-nails demeanor was greatly complemented by nuanced moments where she showcased the tender and vulnerable side of the character. 

Private Lena Derriecott King, played by Ebony Obsidian

Actor Ebony Obsidian has previously starred in acclaimed TV series like Hunters and Wu-Tang: An American Saga and also in the movie If Beale Street Could Talk. In the movie, she portrayed the role of Private Lena Derriecott King as the newest recruit in 6888 battalion who joined the army to cope with the pain of losing her lover in war. Lena’s character arc was significant to the narrative in the sense that the crisis of the mail backlog found a personal connection through her plight. However, I feel her contribution to the war effort and her relationship with Major Adams could have been fleshed out in a better way than it was in the movie, and a sense of greater purpose could have been incorporated instead of the love story arc as well. In real life, Lena King had initially joined the army as medical personnel, and before passing away earlier this year at the age of a hundred years, received Congressional recognition for her role in the 6888 battalion. 

Lena’s 6888th Comrades, Played By A Remarkable All-Black Female Cast

More than Lena, her comrades in the 6888th battalion left quite the impact among viewers with their unique eccentricities, struggles, motivations, and backgrounds. Hailing from different walks of life, each of them represents different spheres of contemporary societal experience of women of color. The sharp-witted Bernice Becker, played by actor Kylie Jefferson, appeared as a much more supportive figure towards Lena, while actor Shanice Shantay’s portrayal of Johnnie Mae as Lena’s loudmouth, mischievous, and cocky colleague remains memorable. Actor Pepi Sonuga played Elaine White, a world-weary woman who is quick to adapt according to situations, while Dolores Washington, played by actor Sarah Jeffery, appeared as a confident, strong woman who is well aware of her strengths and weaknesses. Despite having brief screen time, Lena’s comrades never felt like faceless characters, and their identities and individuality played a key part in conjunction to their role in the army. Even Captain Noel, played by Milauna Jackson, who probably had the shortest screen time among all of them, left an impact as a constant support of Major Adams. 

General Halt, Played By Dean Norris

Gaining international recognition from his role of ASAC Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, actor Dean Norris has showcased his acting skills in numerous small-screen and silver-screen ventures throughout his nearly four-decade-long acting career. In the movie, he plays the role of United States General Halt, a quintessential hard-boiled military official whose ego preceded his reputation. General Halt’s role as an ever-present obstacle for the 6888th battalion, with not too subtle racist tendencies, is as infuriating as his eccentricities are. Dean Norris appears as such a natural fit for the cunning, crude general that it seems the makers had the role tailor-made for him. 

Miscellaneous Characters

Oprah Winfrey portrayed the role of the legendary educator Mary McLeod Bethune in the movie, who, despite appearing only in a single scene, seemed like the best choice for the portrayal of a wise, pragmatic figure like Miss Bethune. Prolific actor Susan Sarandon played the role of Eleanor Roosevelt, the then First Lady of the States; actor Sam Waterston played the role of United States President Franklin Roosevelt, and actor Gregg Sulkin portrayed the character of combat pilot Abram David, Lena’s love interest, who lost his life during the Battle of Pelennor.