NEW YORK, Aug 22 — The actress has joined the cast of "Show Me a Hero," a miniseries developed by "The Wire" creator David Simon.
Based on Lisa Belkin's non-fiction book of the same, which was published in 1999, the six-episode drama is set in Yonkers, New York, in 1987, when a federal court ordered the city to build low-income housing in its predominately white neighborhoods. The decision divides the community along racial and political lines and ultimately destroys the mayor's political career.
The miniseries, which stars Oscar Isaac ("Inside Llewyn Davis") in the role of the young mayor Nick Wasicsko, will be David Simon's fifth collaboration with HBO after "The Wire" and the more recent "Treme."
After cameos on "The Simpsons," "Strangers with Candy" and "Friends," Winona Ryder's first major TV role will see her play Vinni Restiano, a Yonkers councilwoman and confidante to the mayor who loses her seat after a housing vote but returns to the scene four years later. The actress will appear alongside Catherine Keener ("Capote") in the role of Mary Doman, a homeowner attempting to influence the location of the future low-income housing.
Alfred Molina ("Spider-Man 2") is cast in the role of a police officer turned councilman who increasingly acts as a spokesperson for opponents of the housing project, while Jon Bernthal ("The Walking Dead") will play a lawyer representing the NAACP.
Due to air next summer, "Show Me a Hero" will be helmed by Paul Haggis, whose film "Crash" won the Oscar for best picture in 2006. — AFP-Relaxnews
