One of the more curious major network series currently in the works is NBC’s upcoming miniseries adaptation of Rosemary’s Baby. Though Roman Polanski’s 1968 horror film starring Mia Farrow is the work that springs to mind for most people when considering the story, the Peacock Network’s four-hour version will actually take its cues more from the original 1967 novel by Ira Levin. NBC green-lighted the project last month, without any actors attached, and today, Entertainment Weekly revealed that the series has finally found its Rosemary: Avatar actress Zoe Saldana.
Saldana will play the titular would-be mother, who moves into a Paris apartment and slowly realizes that her husband and her new neighbors may have sinister intentions for both her and her unborn child. In addition to playing Neytiri in James Cameron’s sci-fi smash, the actress has appeared in both of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek updates, action film Colombiana, Scott Cooper’s intense thriller Out of the Furnace and the upcoming Marvel entry Guardians of the Galaxy.
Horror has been having a moment on the small screen ever since the 2010 premiere of AMC’s The Walking Dead. The subsequent success of series like FX’s American Horror Story and FOX’s The Following has convinced other networks, most notably NBC, to invest in the genre. In addition to Rosemary’s Baby, the channel premiered Dracula this past fall, has kept Bryan Fuller’s chilling Hannibal prequel around for a second season (due to premiere in February) and recently ordered a miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s classic horror novel The Tommyknockers.
Whether Rosemary’s Baby can match the eerie fright factor of Polanski’s adaptation remains to be seen, but the miniseries format is a promising sign, indicating that NBC is valuing quality over quantity on this one. Saldana’s cross-over appeal makes her a smart choice for the role, and her lack of experience in horror suggests that Rosemary’s Baby will be an exciting experiment for the tremendously talented actress.
What do you think of the casting? Is it worth revisiting Rosemary’s Baby, or would you prefer that the horror classic be left alone? Sound off in the comments section!