Viola Davis Circling New HBO Drama Series

Jason Merritt/Getty Images On the heels of the successful opening of the DreamWorks drama The Help,Viola Davis is circling the lead in a new untitled half-hour HBO series.Sundance breakout Dee Rees and writer-producer Margaret Nagle arenegotiating to write the story, with Rees also a potential to direct. The show is focused on the corruption of a city as seen through the eyes ofthe headmaster of an exclusive prep school who is angling for much biggerthings. Though most of the principal deals are not yet closed, John Lesheris lined up to be an executive producer along with Davis and Nagle, and Reesa co-exec producer. Repped by APA and Principal Entertainment, Davis has recently appeared inTrust, It's Kind of a Funny Story, Eat Pray Love and Knight and Day. Shewill next be on screen in the Paramount drama Extremely Loud and IncrediblyClose, which hits theaters at Christmas. Repped by WME and Cinetic Management, Rees wrote and directed Pariah, whichhad its world premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. Focus Featurespicked up worldwide rights to the coming-of-age drama, which will play aspart of the Toronto film festival program ahead of a theatrical release inthe late fall. Rees is also writing the original thriller Bolo for Focus. The UTA-repped Nagle has been a writer and producer on Boardwalk Empire andSide Order of Life. She also wrote the Emmy-winning HBO movie Warm Springs. Viola Davis