Elizabeth Ashley, who plays Davis's Aunt Mimi, was a close friend of the playwright Tennessee Williams (who was closely associated with New Orleans during his adult life, and who set many of his plays there). She is also known as one of the preeminent stage interpreters of his female characters; starting with her performance as Maggie in a 1974 Broadway revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," Ashley has played nearly all of Williams's main female roles.