Stephen Frears to direct HBO limited drama The Palace starring Kate Winslet

HBO in the US has ordered The Palace, a limited drama directed and executive produced by UK filmmaker Stephen Frears.

Stephen Frears (photo: Andriy Makukha via CC)

Kate Winslet will star in and executive produce the series, which tells the story of one year within the walls of the palace of an authoritarian regime as it begins to unravel.

Will Tracy, who is an executive producer on HBO’s Succession, serves as writer, showrunner and executive producer.

Winslet has become a regular fixture in HBO series of late, with the UK actress starring in the acclaimed series Mare of Easttown and winning an Emmy for her portrayal of the lead character. HBO also recently revealed that Winslet will star in and executive produced limited series Trust, based on Hernan Diaz’s novel.

Winslet is also set to star in and produce a feature film about the life of photographer Lee Miller, which is set to go into production shortly.

Frank Rich also serves as executive producer on The Palace. Other writers include Seth Reiss, Juli Weiner, Jen Spyra, Gary Shteyngart and Sarah DeLappe.

“We are honoured to be working with this incredibly talented group of filmmakers on The Palace,” said Francesca Orsi, executive VP, HBO programming.

“The notion that Kate Winslet and Stephen Frears, two of our industry’s leading lights (who – remarkably – have never collaborated before now), are joining forces to bring Will Tracy’s wildly original, prescient and dazzling scripts to life at HBO is a dream come true for us.”