The Character: Marie Laveau The Inspiration: Marie Laveau The Story: Angela Bassett portrays the New Orleans Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau quite accurately in Coven. Marie Laveau was a revered woman who practiced black magic back in the US in the 1820's. Many believed her to be a healer and people still visit her grave and wish for her to heal them. She was apparently quite a good woman to those she loved her and had many followers who also had their hair done in her salon on the side.