Netflix has today announced a premiere date for its upcoming original miniseries Alias Grace inspired by the historical true story of convicted murderer Grace Marks and based on Margaret Atwood's novel.
The six-episode series will be broadcast in Canada on CBC in the fall. It will stream everywhere else on Netflix starting on Friday, November 3.
The story follows Grace Marks, a poor, young Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Upper Canada who, along with stable hand James McDermott, was convicted of the brutal murders of their employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery, in 1843. James was hanged while Grace was sentenced to life imprisonment. Grace became one of the most enigmatic and notorious women of 1840s Canada for her supposed role in the sensational double murder, and was eventually exonerated after 30 years in jail. Her conviction was controversial, and sparked much debate about whether Grace was actually involved in the murder, or merely an unwitting accessory.
The cast includes Sarah Gadon, Anna Paquin, Zachary Levi, Paul Gross, Edward Holcroft, Kerr Logan, Michael Therriault and Rebecca Liddiard.
Alias Grace is written by Sarah Polley and directed by Mary Harron. They executive produce with Noreen Halpern. Halfire Entertainment produces for CBC and Netflix.
