Yaya DaCosta has been cast as Whitney Houston in the upcoming Lifetime biopic, according to reports in the Huffington Post. Whitney Houston's life is set to be adapted for the small screen by Lifetime and actress Angela Bassett is set to direct the film.

Yaya DaCosta
Yaya DaCosta has been cast as Whitney Houston.

Houston, who died in 2012 aged just 48, will be played by DaCosta. The actress and model first graced our screens when she appeared on America's Next Top Model Cycle 3 in 2004. She has since appeared in numerous television and film roles including, most recently, Lee Daniels' The Butler. The 31-year-old also appeared in such series as Ugly Betty, House and All My Children

The film will focus of Houston's turbulent marriage to Bobby Brown. Their marriage was rumoured to have been marred by Brown's infidelity and drug use. The film, currently entitled Whitney Houston, will follow the couple from their first meeting through their marriage to the height of their celebrity in the mid-90s. 

Read More: Whitney Houston's Family Furious About Lifetime Movie. 

Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston's marriage to Bobby Brown will be focussed on.

Bassett is making her directional debut with the film. Speaking about her involvement in the project she said, "I have such regard for both Whitney's and Bobby's amazing talents and accomplishments, and I feel a responsibility in the telling of their story. Their humanity and bond fascinates us all. I'm beyond excited to have this opportunity to go behind the camera and into their world."

Read More: Angela Bassett To Direct Lifetime Whitney Houston Biopic. 

Whitney Houston, which is being produced and broadcast by Lifetime, is slated to air in 2015. 

Angela BassettAngela Bassett will direct the upcoming biopic.