Netflix has officially announced the release schedule for Tyler Perry’s highly anticipated WWII drama, The Six Triple Eight, starring Emmy winner Kerry Washington. The film will premiere in select theaters on December 6, followed by a global release on the streaming platform on December 20. Alongside this announcement, Netflix unveiled a teaser trailer and a series of first-look images.

The Six Triple Eight is inspired by the true story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all-Black, all-female unit in the Women’s Army Corps to serve overseas during World War II. These women faced extreme challenges, including racism, sexism, and difficult working conditions, yet they remained resolute in their mission to serve their country. The battalion’s extraordinary story, which has long been overlooked, is based on Kevin M. Hymel’s article “Fighting A Two-Front War,” originally published in WWII History Magazine.

Kerry Washington leads the ensemble cast as Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Battalion. The cast also includes Oprah Winfrey, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Shanice Shantay, and veteran actors such as Susan Sarandon, Dean Norris, and Sam Waterston.

Tyler Perry not only directed the film but also wrote the script and produced it alongside Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, Keri Selig, and Carlota Espinosa. Executive producers include Peter Guber and Washington herself, with Diane Warren contributing an original song titled “The Journey,” performed by H.E.R.

The film highlights the incredible journey of 855 women tasked with sorting through a three-year backlog of undelivered mail for American soldiers. Despite the discrimination and harsh conditions they faced in a war-torn Europe, the women of the 6888th Battalion completed their mission in just 90 days—half the time allotted—under the motto “No Mail, Low Morale.” Their efforts provided much-needed morale boosts to soldiers separated from their loved ones.

The story of the 6888th Battalion has gained recognition in recent years, culminating in the award of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor in the United States, presented by President Joe Biden in 2022. Perry was inspired to bring this story to the screen after connecting with Lena Derriecott King, a member of the battalion who passed away at the age of 100 earlier this year. King’s legacy, along with that of her fellow soldiers, is honored in this powerful film.

As the release date approaches, anticipation builds for The Six Triple Eight, which not only tells a significant chapter in American history but also showcases the enduring spirit and resilience of these unsung heroes.