Award-winning actress, Shaquita Smith (Wicked City), recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award, is set to star in the lead role and serve as a producer on Mann Robinson’s upcoming psychological thriller, ‘Janice Doe.’
The film explores the fine line between sanity and delusion, following Nissassa Live, a woman whose life unravels after a series of violent events lead to a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation. As her traumatic past begins to surface during therapy, the boundary between trauma and identity blurs, forcing her to confront guilt, survival, and her own diminishing sense of reality.
In what promises to be one of her most demanding performances yet, Smith takes on the role of a woman whose tightly held secrets drive her to the edge of madness. Writer and Director Mann Robinson (Sebastian, Black Diamond) describes the film as a “story that challenges perception and lingers long after the credits roll.”
Production for ‘Janice Doe’ is now underway, with filming set to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The project is being executive produced by Mann Robinson Studios, with Smith serving as one of the film’s producers. A theatrical release is planned for late 2026 or early 2027. Casting is currently underway, with additional announcements to follow soon.
Smith is repped by Exclusive Talent, Bailey Rae Harrison and Renae Rodriguez; NPRFIRM.
📸: Zina Franklin
–Dominique Young // @heyyydommm