Kimberly Elise cast in TNT movie 'Hands'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. actress Kimberly Elise has signed on to join Cuba Gooding Jr. in the upcoming TV movie, "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story," TNT announced.

Elise is best known for her work in the films "The Great Debaters," "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and "The Manchurian Candidate."

Her latest role was announced Monday by Michael Wright, senior vice president in charge of the Content Creation Group for TNT, TBS and TCM.

Elise is set to play the role of Sonya Carson, "a single mother who inspired her son to study and work hard so that he could rise above their inner-city roots, eventually becoming a world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon," TNT said in a news release.

"Kimberly is an outstanding actress whose passion comes through in every role she plays," Wright said in a statement. "We are thrilled to have her on board for what is certain to be a very stirring film.'

"Gifted Hands" is based on the memoir of Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, who overcame an impoverished childhood to become a best-selling author and director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center.