TORONTO -- "True Blood" star Anna Paquin has joined the small-screen adaptation of Margaret Atwood's historical novel "Alias Grace."
The Winnipeg-born Oscar-winner will play the doomed Nancy Montgomery opposite Sarah Gadon, who plays her maid Grace Marks.
The six-hour miniseries is inspired by the true story of a poor Irish immigrant who was convicted of killing her employers in 1843. She was exonerated after about 30 years behind bars.
The script comes from "Away From Her" scribe Sarah Polley and is directed by "American Psycho"'s Mary Harron.
Shooting began Aug. 15 in Ontario.
"Alias Grace" will be broadcast on CBC in Canada, and will stream on Netflix elsewhere.
"Anna is an incredibly versatile performer who always makes complex, unpredictable and fascinating choices in her work," Polley, also an executive producer, said Tuesday in a release.
"It's always a marvel to watch her and we're thrilled to have her join the cast."
