Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain reunite for holiday comedy 'Deck the Y’alls' with Wanda Sykes

Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain

Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain are officially reuniting on screen, more than a decade after The Help. The duo will headline Deck the Y’alls, a holiday comedy from Tracy Oliver, the writer behind Girls Trip.

Jessica plays Rachel Stein, a New York baker who falls for a younger Southern man and travels to Charleston, South Carolina, for Christmas with his family. That’s where she runs into Octavia’s character, Gladys Gibbes — a protective matriarch and celebrity chef who isn’t exactly thrilled by the new romance.

Production on the film kicks off next year.

Wanda Sykes Joins the Cast

The cast also includes Emmy-winning comedian Wanda Sykes, who brings her sharp comedic timing to the ensemble.

With a resume that stretches from The Chris Rock Show to Curb Your Enthusiasm and stand-up specials like Not Normal, Sykes adds another layer of energy to the project.

Big Names Behind the Scenes

The script for Deck the Y’alls comes from Oliver and Stefanie Williams. Oliver, who made history with Girls Trip as the first Black woman to write a film grossing over $100 million, has since built a strong reputation in comedy with shows like Harlem and The First Wives Club.

The movie will be produced by Sandbox Studios, along with Spencer’s ORIT Entertainment, Jessica’s Freckle Films, and Sony Music Vision. The team is currently in talks with distribution partners.

Interestingly, Sandbox and Jessica are already working together on Netflix’s upcoming mystery thriller Heartland, which also stars country artist Carter Faith and John Hawkes.

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Awards Heavyweights Back Together

Fans of The Help will remember both actresses earned Oscar nominations for their roles, with Octavia taking home the statue. Jessica later won for The Eyes of Tammy Faye and remains one of Hollywood’s most versatile stars, from Interstellar to Molly’s Game.

Octavia, meanwhile, has delivered acclaimed performances in Hidden Figures and The Shape of Water, and has earned Emmy nods for producing and starring in Netflix’s Self Made.

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Now, the pair return to the same set — but this time, wrapped in holiday lights and comedy chaos.

FAQs

Q1: What is Deck the Y’alls about?
The film follows Jessica Chastain’s character Rachel, a New York baker who clashes with Octavia Spencer’s Southern matriarch over the holidays.

Q2: Who wrote the script for Deck the Y’alls?
The holiday comedy was written by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip) and Stefanie Williams.

Q3: When will Deck the Y’alls be released?
The film begins shooting next year. An official release date has not yet been announced.