Kate Winslet has accepted a rare television role, The Hollywood Reporter announced on February 12, after months of rumors and negotiations. The Academy Award-winning actress will appear in the title role in HBO’s novel adaptation of ‘Mildred Pierce.’

Writer/director Todd Haynes, who previously worked on the theatrically-released movies ‘I’m Not There’ and ‘Far From Heaven,’ will be creating a five-hour mini-series based on the book. Production is expected to begin in April.

The book follows Mildred Pierce as she tries to make a better life for herself and her daughters by leaving her failed marriage and starting a career. A theatrical film version was released in 1945, and Joan Crawford won a Best Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of Mildred Pierce.

Winslet hasn’t appeared in big television roles since her start on British TV before she appeared in ‘Titanic,’ the second highest grossing movie of all time. Since ‘Titanic,’ the only television work she has only done has been voiceover work or cameos as herself. But the cable network decided to take a chance on Winslet after the success it achieved last year with ‘Grey Gardens,’ which starred Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange. The movie garnered 17 Emmy nominations, including a win for Outstanding Lead Actress for Lange. Barrymore won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award in the same category.

Written by: Karen Benardello