In a somewhat surprising bit of news, Jodie Foster has just set up her first television series at Showtime. The actress will be directing and EP-ing Angie’s Body which is a dramatic project that centers on a sexy, but lethal woman who runs a family-based crime syndicate. This is a somewhat refreshing take on the old ‘Sopranos‘-style series/film that is certain to have the industry buzzing. Could a female lead be enough to revive a once popular genre that has sense lost its legs?
Deadline, who reported this story, says that Foster has been suggesting a transition to television for a while now. That actress has previously directed a handful of features, but most recently that came in the Mel Gibson-starrer The Beaver which could not have any worse timing. Despite the tabloid on-goings of Gibson, the film still received quality reviews.
This is not to say that Jodie Foster is quick to be ending her tenure in front of the camera. The Contact actress is actually being set up to star in another sci-fi flick that will release next year, Elysium. The film comes from District 9 director Neill Blomkamp who has promised to do a lot with a modestly heftier budget thanks in part to leading man Matt Damon. That one releases into theaters on March 1, 2013 and will presumably be on most people’s radar as soon as the first trailers come out.
Other than that, Foster looks to have an empty schedule which she is clearly taking advantage of with her latest stint behind the camera. Angie’s Body joins another high-profile Showtime drama in-development as the premium network is also said to be working on a Ron Howard-directed period drama centering on Spanish Conquistadors and Montezuma.