Kerry Washington is headed to HBO. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the “Scandal” star has inked a deal to play Anita Hill and executive produce a TV movie for the premium cable network.
“Confirmation,” the telepic written by Academy Award-nominated writer Susannah Grant, will detail the explosive Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination hearings in 1991 (at which Hill testified), which brought the country to a standstill and forever changed the way people think about sexual harassment, victims’ rights and modern-day race relations. Grant is best known for penning Erin Brockovich, which Julia Roberts went on to star in.
Grant will also executive produce the drama, which is being produced by Groundswell Productions in association with ABC Signature Studios. Groundswell CEO Michael London and production president Janice Williams will executive produce alongside Grant and Washington.
For HBO, “Confirmation” comes as the network is building its roster of original films. “This week, the premier cabler tapped Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti to play tennis legends Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, respectively, in a movie detailing the duo’s legendary Battle of the Sexes match. Additionally, HBO is also prepping an adaptation of Bryan Cranston’s Tony winner All the Way with Jay Roach attached to direct,” reports THR.
Congrats to Washington on her new role. We just have one question —- will the new HBO project impinge on her obligations to “Scandal,” Shonda Rhimes’ hit series on ABC?
