(AllHipHop News) The cast of the upcoming ABC Family series Nicki based on the early life of Nicki Minaj has been announced. Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg (The Color Purple, Ghost) will guest star as Miss Martha, the young Nicki’s neighbor.

[ALSO READ: Nicki Minaj Scores New Show Based On Her Teen Years]

Model/actress Selita Ebanks (Real Husbands of Hollywood) was selected to star as Nicki’s mother Grace. Wesley Jonathan (The Soul Man) will play Nicki’s father Vincent, and McCarrie McCausland (Army Wives) will play Nicki’s older brother Jaylen. The sitcom will feature Ariana Neal (Fruitvale Station, Get Hard) as the Trinidadian born superstar-in-the-making.

The “Anaconda” rapper is also expected to appear on the show. She has signed on as an executive producer as well. In addition, fans of the Queens representative will be able to see Nicki in the upcoming Barbershop 3 film due out on April 15, 2016.

“I am honored and excited to announce that I’ve literally hand picked the main characters of my scripted series Nicki,” Minaj wrote on Instagram. “I’ve been going to the auditions falling in love with some incredible people. Looking forward to unveiling this groundbreaking new show for you guys in 2016!”

I literally cried watching her taped audition. I demanded to meet her! Sat in a room with her teaching her how to rap by doing a beat on the table & forcing her to stay on beat! Lol. Then pulled out all the attitude she had in her lil body. Haha! She's tough! And so sweet & cute. #ArianaNeal #LilNicki Welcome to the family lil lady bug! ??????? #ABCFamily #Freeform #Nicki

A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:04pm PST