Rhiannon Giddens and Ed Helms Star in Justin Liberman’s New Drama ‘An Ode to Mary Jo’

Rhiannon Giddens to Star in Indie Drama ‘An Ode to Mary Jo’ Alongside Ed Helms

Rhiannon Giddens, a Pulitzer Prize and Grammy-winning artist known for her work on CMT’s Nashville, is set to star opposite Ed Helms, famed for his roles in The Hangover and The Office, in the upcoming indie drama An Ode to Mary Jo. This film marks the feature directorial debut of Justin Liberman.

Recently finishing production, the film revolves around Mary Jo, a single mother navigating the most critical day of her life. Faced with a series of escalating challenges—including planning her nine-year-old daughter’s birthday, managing tensions with her teenager, and uncovering the mystery of her missing ex-husband—Mary Jo embarks on a relentless journey reminiscent of an Odyssey.

The screenplay was co-written by Liberman and Erik Christian Hanson. The cast features notable actors such as Annarah Cymone (The Midnight Club), Oakley Skye Maloney (Suncoast), Grammy winner Jason Isbell (Killers of the Flower Moon), Oscar-nominated filmmaker John Sayles (Matewan), Golden Globe winner Regina Taylor (Clockers), and Grammy winner Steve Earle (The Wire).

Produced by Mike Callaghan and Reuben Liber for Ranger 7 Films, along with contributions from Matt Ratner for Tilted Windmill Productions, Brenton Earley for FilmPool Films, Aaron Rosenbloom, Chris Rouse, and Liberman, the project also highlights Giddens’ role as music supervisor. She has co-written original songs for the film alongside Helms and Isbell, with the score composed by Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Abels (Get Out). Giddens serves as an executive producer, joined by Helms, Mike Falbo for Pacific Electric Picture Company, Mitch Lerner for Electric Wolf Entertainment, and Eran Lobel and Kristen Kearns for Element Productions.

In discussing the film, Liberman expressed his vision: “With An Ode to Mary Jo, I wanted to update the idea of an American folk hero and create a character and tell a story that millions of hard-working Americans can relate to and see themselves in. Rhiannon, with her lifelong dedication to activism and protest music, is the perfect partner to embody this spirit and bring Mary Jo to life. We hope the character can help introduce a new definition of Americana—one that transcends politics and reflects the dignity of today’s working class.”

The production team collectively remarked, “We feel genuinely privileged to have been part of this film—exactly the kind of deeply human story that’s becoming increasingly difficult to champion in today’s landscape. The caliber of artists on both sides of the camera, led by the extraordinary Rhiannon Giddens, who rallied behind Justin’s vision out of pure passion, was nothing short of inspiring.”

Giddens, a versatile singer and multi-instrumentalist, co-founded the Grammy-winning string band Carolina Chocolate Drops and has pursued a successful solo career in genres ranging from traditional folk to contemporary songwriting, accumulating multiple Grammys and a Pulitzer Prize for the opera Omar, created with Abels. Her discography includes five solo albums, with her latest release, You’re the One, in 2023. Recognized as an “armchair historian,” Giddens aims to highlight the Black roots of American music across various genres. She has recently served as a music consultant for Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners and has made guest appearances on NBC’s Parenthood and CMT’s Nashville.

Helms, a SAG Ensemble winner, recently starred alongside Jennifer Garner in Netflix’s Family Switch. His forthcoming projects include Lauren Miller Rogen’s Babies, the hockey dramedy Smudge the Blades, and The Stunt Driver with Jay Baruchel.

The supporting cast is well represented, with Cymone repped by Innovative Artists and Authentic Talent & Literary Management; Maloney by Exclusive Artists Agency; Isbell by WME and Traci Thomas; Sayles by Magnet Management; Taylor by Innovative Artists and Oxford Talent Management; and Earle by Gold Village Management and UTA.