With “The Help” currently in theaters generating critical acclaim and Oscar buzz, star Viola Davis is reportedly circling the lead in a new untitled half-hour series for HBO.
The show is focused on the corruption of a city as seen through the eyes of the headmaster of an exclusive prep school who is angling for much bigger things.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sundance breakout Dee Rees and writer-producer Margaret Nagle are negotiating to write the story, with Rees also a potential to direct. Though most of the principal deals are not yet closed, John Lesher is lined up to be an executive producer along with Davis and Nagle, and Rees a co-exec producer.
Davis, meanwhile has recently appeared in “Trust,” “It’s Kind of a Funny Story,” “Eat Pray Love” and “Knight and Day.” She will next be on screen in the Paramount drama “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” which hits theaters at Christmas.
