Vivien Leigh Drama in the Works with Natalie Dormer

Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones, The Tudors, The Hunger Games, Picnic at Hanging Rock) is working with Mainstreet Pictures and FremantleMedia to develop a global event drama based on the life of legendary British actress Vivien Leigh.

The story will follow the highs and lows of the actress and provide a glimpse into her complex mind. It will explore Leigh’s marriage to Laurence Olivier, her iconic Academy Award-winning performances in Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire, female equality, the abuse of power and her life dealing with issues of mental health at a time when the topic was a complete taboo—all set against the glamour of Hollywood in the ’40s and ’50s.

Dormer will serve as producer and lead to bring the story of Vivien’s fight with her inescapable darkness and ravaging bi-polar condition to screen. FremantleMedia International will hold the global distribution rights for the series.

Sally Haynes and Laura Mackey of Mainstreet Pictures said: “We are incredibly excited to be collaborating with the brilliant Natalie Dormer to play an iconic star like Vivien Leigh and to bring this extraordinary unknown story to a wider audience.”

Christian Vesper, executive VP and creative director of global drama at FremantleMedia, said: “The story of the legendary movie star will be a compelling exploration of the woman who was transcendently known for some of the most memorable screen performances of all time. We’re looking forward to working with Natalie Dormer and Mainstreet Pictures to develop the series ready for global audiences.”