Annette Bening is headed to the small screen. The four-time Oscar nominee has joined the cast of the next installment of FX’s “American Crime Story,” Deadline reports. This time around, the acclaimed anthology series will focus on Hurricane Katrina.
The “20th Century Women” actress will play Kathleen Blanco, the governor of Louisiana who served during and after Katrina. At least 1,245 people died in the tragedy, making it one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
“‘Katrina: American Crime Story’ will tell the story of America’s response to the devastating storm,” Deadline writes. One of the series’ executive producers, Nina Jacobson, has said that a focal point of the season will be the disparity of care offered to those affected in the aftermath of the devastation. “To explore these things from a character foundation, and to revel in the shades of gray, to explore moments in which there’s a disparity between the way our country wants to see itself and the way we actually are — that’s been a really inspiring perspective for us,” she explained.
The hit first season of “American Crime Story” depicted the trial of former football star O.J. Simpson, who was accused of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend Ron Goldman. The critical darling went on to win nine Emmys, two Golden Globes, and many other accolades, particularly for Sarah Paulson, who portrayed Deputy District Attorney Marcia Clark.
Following “Katrina: American Crime Story,” the franchise will tackle the murder of Italian fashion designer and Versace founder Gianni Versace. Fox 21 TV Studios and FX Productions have optioned the rights to Jeffrey Toobin’s “A Vast Conspiracy: The Real Sex Scandal That Nearly Brought Down A President” with plans to adapt the book for an upcoming installment of “American Crime Story.” As such, it seems likely that the the fourth season of the show will chronicle the affair between Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern, and Bill Clinton, the then-President of the United States.
Bening recently spoke out about the impossible demands placed on women. “There’s so much pressure on women now to be sexy, to become educated, to have a fulfilling relationship. And — oh yes! — you also have to have children, and you’re supposed to be very happy when you’re doing all of this,” she observed. “It’s impossible. You don’t have to do everything. Just do a little bit at a time.” She added, “It’s not like we have to be happy all the time. Who wants that? The real thing we all search for is meaning.”
“20th Century Women” is in theaters now.
