HBO picks up Kate Winslet miniseries
'Mildred Pierce' is being directed by Todd Haynes
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Todd Haynes' "Mildred Pierce" is headed to HBO.
The cable network has picked up the five-hour miniseries starring Kate Winslet, which it will co-produce with MGM, Killer Films and John Wells Prods.
Haynes is directing the mini, an adaptation of James M. Cain's classic noir novel, which centers on Mildred Pierce Beragon (Winslet), a proud, single mother struggling to earn her daughter's love during the Great Depression in middle-class Los Angeles.
Haynes and Jon Raymond wrote the script for the project, which is being executive produced by Haynes, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon and John Wells. Ilene Landress serves as producer.
Casting for the other roles is under way, with production on the mini slated to begin in April in New York.
This marks the second major screen adaptation of Cain's novel.
The 1945 feature by Michael Curtiz earned Joan Crawford an Academy Award for the title role.
The Haynes/Winslet take on "Mildred Pierce" had been percolating for a month, with HBO considered the leading contender.
Winslet is hot coming off her Oscar win for "The Reader" last year.
Haynes' writing/directing credits include "I'm Not There" and "Far From Heaven."
For HBO, the green light for "Mildred Pierce" follows the critical success of another longform project toplined by feature stars, the movie "Grey Gardens," starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange.