Kate Winslet Heads to HBO

It was recently announced that Kate Winslet will take on the lead role in the Mildred Pierce miniseries on HBO. The role was originally made famous by Joan Crawford in 1945.

The story, which is based on a novel by James M. Cain, focuses on a mother struggling to survive challenges with money, divorce, and betrayal. HBO has announced that the miniseries will encompass five hours, allowing more time for character and plot development than the original film.

Todd Haynes will direct for HBO. He previously worked on Far From Heaven which earned an Oscar nod for its leading lady, Julianne Moore, and I’m Not There, a look into the life of Bob Dylan.

Winslet certainly is a good choice for the role of Mildred Pierce since she’s proven her versatility as an actress, being nominated six times for an Academy Award and having won just last year for The Reader.

Filming is scheduled to start in April, and the next big question is which young actress will be tapped to play Veda, Mildred’s daughter.