Kate Winslet to play a detective in HBO limited series Mare of Easttown

Another day and another limited-series from a premium cable network. Deadline has reported that Kate Winslet will be returning to HBO to take the lead in Mare of Easttown, a new dramatic limited-series which will find the actress playing a small-town detective.

Close to a decade ago, Kate Winslet played the leading role in Mildred Pierce, a five-part mini-series based on James M. Cain's 1941 novel of the same name. The role landed Winslet both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for Best Actress, so it's easy to assume that Mare of Easttown could bring similar critical praise. Not much is known about the series at this time, only that Kate Winslet will be playing a Pennsylvania detective who investigates a local murder while her own life is crumbling around her. Vague, but with Winslet at the lead, I'm optimistic that we'll be in for something special. Mare of Easttown was created by Brad Ingelsby (RUN ALL NIGHT), who has also written all of the episodes and will serve as show-runner. Gavin O'Connor (THE ACCOUNTANT) will direct all episodes of the series. Although the film hasn't been released yet, O'Connor and Ingelsby have worked together before on TORRANCE, a drama which stars Ben Affleck as a former all-star basketball player who has lost his wife and family in a struggle with addiction. He attempts to regain his soul and salvation by becoming the coach of a losing high school basketball team at his alma mater before his drinking gets the best of him.

As for Kate Winslet, she recently completed work on the AVATAR sequels which serves as a reunion with her TITANIC director James Cameron. Much is still being kept under wraps regarding her character, a Na'vi named Ronal, but Winslet has teased that she's a "a pivotal character in the ongoing story." The as-yet-untitled AVATAR 2 will hit theaters on December 18, 2020.