Sybil Torch Passed to Blanchard

Even after 32 years, the story of Sybil has not lost its impact. A tale of a physically and psychologically tortured woman overcoming obstacles in order to survive, the original 1976 made-for-tv miniseries seems to have not been lost in translation in CBS's 2008 version.

With Tammy Blanchard (Guiding Light, The Good Shepherd) taking the reigns of the titular character, she explores territory unexamined by predecessor Sally Fields. She probes into the very grey matter of Sybil, extracting and contrasting the multitude of personalities Sybil used to survive during her abusive childhood. Jessica Lange also contributes a significant importance as Dr. Wilbur, filling in for Joanne Woodward.

Sybil was originally based on a book by Flora Rheta Schreiber about a woman named Shirley Ardell Mason. Mason developed 16 personalities in order to cope with abuse inflicted upon her by her mother during her childhood.

The remake of Sybil airs June 7, 2008.