Spelman Alumna Danielle Deadwyler Stars in the New Post-Apocalyptic Thriller 40 Acres

Spelman College’s very own Danielle Deadwyler is set to captivate audiences once again, this time as the fierce matriarch in 40 Acres, a post-apocalyptic thriller hitting theaters July 2.

Written and directed by R. T. Thorne in his feature debut, 40 Acres tells the gripping story of a Black family of Canadian farmers who are descendants of African American migrants who settled in rural Canada after the American Civil War. Two centuries later, in a future ravaged by food scarcity and social collapse, Deadwyler’s character leads her family as they defend their land and survival against marauding cannibals determined to seize their resources.

Deadwyler, a class of 2004 graduate of Spelman College with a degree in History and African American Studies, has received consistent recognition for her range and impactful performances. She earned widespread acclaim for her roles in The Harder They Fall (2021), Till (2022), and The Piano Lesson (2024). Her portrayal of Mamie Till in Till brought her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role, while The Piano Lesson secured her Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. In 2025, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

In addition to her Spelman roots, Deadwyler holds a master’s degree in American Studies from Columbia University and a master’s in creative writing from Ashland University.

With 40 Acres, Deadwyler brings both strength and nuance to a role that reflects the unyielding spirit of Black women leading their families through unimaginable hardship.