Netflix is dipping its toes into the work of Margaret Atwood with its upcoming miniseries Alias Grace, Deadline recently reported. Hulu had great success adapting Atwood’s work for the small screen with its recent series Handmaid’s Tale, which met wide critical acclaim and is now considered one of the best series of the year.
The six-hour miniseries will pull from both Atwood’s novel of the same name and the true story of Grace Marks, a Canadian maid who was convicted of murder in the 19th century. Alias Grace centers on Marks and explores the public debate over her guilt that came about when she was convicted.
The chilling trailer includes a rambling monologue from the series protagonist, Grace Marks, as she recounts what has happened and describes her thoughts on what the public is saying about her. The trailer shows only brief details, but relays a dark and atmospheric feel that is similar to that of Hulu’s Handmaid’s Tale.
The miniseries is directed by Mary Hannon (best known for the disturbing 2000 film American Psycho, starring Christian Bale) and produced by Sarah Polley (filmmaker and actress known for her documentary Stories We Tell and roles in films such as Take This Waltz and Splice). Alias Grace stars Sarah Gadon (Enemy, A Dangerous Method) as Grace Marks, Edward Holcroft (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Zachary Levi (Chuck, Tangled), and Anna Paquin (True Blood, X-Men).
Alias Grace will arrive on Netflix on November 3.