David Cronenberg, Paul Gross join CBC-Netflix miniseries Alias Grace
Zulekha Nathoo | CBC News | Posted: September 7, 2016 3:53 PM | Last Updated: September 7, 2016
Anna Paquin, Sarah Gadon to also star in screen adaptation of Margaret Atwood novel
Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg and actor Paul Gross are joining the formidable cast for the screen adaptation of Alias Grace.
Based on Margaret Atwood's acclaimed 1996 novel, the six-hour miniseries is inspired by the true story of Grace Marks, who was convicted of murdering Nancy Montgomery and Thomas Kinnear.
Cronenberg is well known behind the lens for films like The Fly, A Dangerous Method and Maps to the Stars. But he has also taken on-screen film roles before, usually appearing in cameos.
Calgary-born Gross is most recognizable for his role as a Mountie on the show Due South and the films Men with Brooms and more recently, Beeba Boys.
Canadian-born Oscar-winner Anna Paquin, Toronto's Sarah Gadon (A Dangerous Method, Cosmopolis) and Game of Thrones' Kerr Logan are also part of the project. Paquin will portray Montgomery and Gadon will play the role of Marks.
Atwood also has a cameo role in the upcoming film.
The miniseries continues production in Toronto and across Ontario until mid-November. Alias Grace will be broadcast in Canada on CBC and, everywhere outside of Canada, on Netflix.
"After almost 20 years of dreaming of bringing Alias Grace to the screen, it is beyond thrilling to see it all come together with such an amazing cast and crew," said executive producer Sarah Polley.
Alias Grace is written and produced by Polley (Take This Waltz, Away from Her) and directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho, I Shot Andy Warhol).