Mildred Pierce Main Image 2Kate Winslet as Mildred PierceOscar winner Kate Winslet (The Reader, Revolutionary Road) takes the title role in this sumptuous adaptation of James M Cain's 1941 novel – a searing dissection of class and ambition in Depression-era California.  This five-part miniseries from Academy Award-nominated director Todd Haynes is coming soon to Sky Atlantic HD.

Earning great acclaim for his stylish 50s-set melodrama Far From Heaven, Haynes was the natural choice to direct a new take on this classily compelling tale, previously reworked into Michael Curtiz's 1945 film noir. This lavish miniseries delves further into the subtexts and characterisations of Cain's novel, following single mother Mildred's heartbreaking efforts to make her ungrateful daughter's dreams come true.

After splitting from her cheating husband, Mildred takes a job as a waitress, working her way up to run a string of restaurants. Her efforts to win her daughter's gratitude, however, are forever in vain as aspiring singing star Veda (Evan Rachel Wood, The Wrestler, True Blood), ironically, has nothing but disdain for what she perceives as her mother's blue collar lifestyle.

In a stunning cast, Winslet is joined by Guy Pearce (The King's Speech) as her wealthy lover Monty Beregon, plus Oscar-nominated actress Melissa Leo (Frozen River, The Fighter). Top-class talent both in front of and behind the camera ensure Mildred Pierce is both visually stunning and absolutely riveting.