British actor Keira Knightley will star in and executive produce “The Other Typist” at Hulu, a new limited series adaptation of Suzanne Rindell’s 2013 novel of the same name, Deadline reported Thursday.
The series, produced by Searchlight Television and 20th Century Studios, is written and executive produced by Ilene Chaiken (“The L Word,” “Empire”).
“The Other Typist,” set in New York City during Prohibition, is “a psycho-sexual suspense thriller that turns on themes of identity, class, obsession and misplaced (or misunderstood) desire,” according to Deadline. The novel centers on Rose, “a prim, unworldly typist for the New York Police Department” who is “drawn into the shady world of her glamorous new co-worker” Odalie (Knightley).
Chaiken will pen the pilot and serve as showrunner. Oly Obst (“The Lovebirds”) will join Knightley and Chaiken to executive produce. Chaiken has an overall deal with 20th Century and already has an executive producer credit for “The Handmaid’s Tale” at Hulu.
According to the Deadline report, Knightley first pitched the book to Searchlight, and their TV division, along with sister studio 20th TV, will co-produce. The two studios are also working on the Kate McKinnon series “The Dropout” for Hulu.
The career move is significant for Knightley, who has overwhelmingly worked in film since her 2002 breakout role in “Bend It Like Beckham” (2011 miniseries “Neverland” is a recent exception).
“The Other Typist” comes as Hulu opted not to renew two other dramas on its platform. The service recently canceled period drama “Harlots” after three seasons, as well as thriller “Reprisal” after just one.