Angela Bassett received a master of fine arts degree from Duke University.
 In addition to positive reception of her role, Bassett was seen as the "star" of the film due to playing the lead and earned a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her performance
  Bassett won the lead role after beating out Halle Berry and Robin Givens, but she had only one month to prepare before filming began

