Wendell Pierce and Anna Deavere Smith have both signed on to star in the HBO original film, Life Support being produced by Queen Latifah and Jamie Foxx.

Starring in the film is Queen Latifah as an HIV-positive former drug addict who has overcome her addiction to become a wife and mother committed to educating people in the black community on how to protect themselves from becoming infected. Also in the film are Evan Ross, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tony Rock and newcomer Rachel Nicks. The Hollywood Reporter notes Life Support is based on the true story of Ana Willis.

Pierce will play Willis' husband, Smith will play her mother, and Nicks will play her daughter. Evan Ross will play Trace, a gay teenager and childhood friend of Willis' daughter who was born HIV-positive and ends up on the street, selling his AIDS drugs for money.

Filming will begin this month in New York; no word on a release schedule for Life Support.