Netflix Taps Anna Paquin for Miniseries

Netflix has signed actress Anna Paquin to star in the screen adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace, the content streaming service said Tuesday.

Paquin (True Blood, Roots) will play Nancy Montgomery in the six-part miniseries inspired by the true story of Grace Marks, a Canadian maid who was suspected of murdering Montgomery, a housekeeper, and convicted of killing their employer, Thomas Kinnear, in 1843.

Written and produced by Sarah Polley (Take This WaltzAway From Her) and directed by Mary Harron (American PsychoI Shot Andy Warhol), Alias Grace also stars Sarah Gadon and Zachary Levi.

Alias Grace will be broadcast on Netflix and in Canada on CBC.

“Anna is an incredibly versatile performer who always makes complex, unpredictable and fascinating choices in her work,” Polley said.  “It's always a marvel to watch her, and we’re thrilled to have her join the cast.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.