Lena Headey’s eight years in the role of the imperious, calculatingly cruel, shallow-end-of-the-gene-pool-fishing Cersei Lannister may distance the actress from the concept of comedy, but that, indeed, is what the former Game Of Thrones star has just procured, with a new TV series, with Showtime, called Rita.
Showtime has announced its pilot order for Rita, an adaptation of the 2012-2017 Danish series of the same name, in which Lena Headey will star as its title character, who’s described as “a headstrong, unconventional teacher and single mother who takes on every kind of authority – as well as her family – in a messy and unfiltered way.” Danish actress Mille Dinesen played the role in the original series.
As Jana Winograde, one of Showtime Networks’ Presidents of Entertainment, lauds in a statement:
“Rita is a deliciously subversive character who will make you laugh and cry as she continuously challenges the hypocrisy around her. It goes without saying that Lena Headey is a force, whose essence is ideal to take on this wonderfully dynamic lead role.”
Christian Torpe, creator of the award-winning original series, will serve as showrunner and credited creator for Showtime’s American reboot, and will write the pilot. Additionally, star Headey will enjoy some creative input, set to serve as executive producer on the pilot of the aspiring series, joined in that capacity by Showtime and Platform One Media.
Rita is quite the turn for Lena Headey, who, during her Game Of Thrones run, fielded film appearances in Thumper, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones, horror franchise launcher The Purge, cult-favorite Dredd, and, in 2014, reprised her career-breakthrough role as Queen Gorgo from 2006’s 300 in sequel 300: Rise Of An Empire. Fans may also remember her pre-Thrones TV tenure as Sarah Connor (a role that onscreen rival Emlia Clarke would play in 2015 film Terminator Genisys,) on Fox’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
Headey is also set to field a major film prospect as part of the cast of the 2020-scheduled female-led actioner, Gunpowder Milkshake, joining the likes of Karen Gillan, Michelle Yeoh, Carla Gugino and Angela Bassett. She recently starred in the UK drama film, The Flood, and will also provide the voice of Maudra Fara on Netflix’s gorgeous-looking prequel TV series, The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance.
We will keep you updated on Showtime’s Rita as the news arrives!
