Chloe Sevigny talks about developing Lizzie Borden miniseries

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Now that ‘Big Love’ is coming to a close, Chloe Sevigny is on the prowl for a juicy role. This week, HBO confirmed reports in the trades that Sevigny was developing a miniseries about Lizzie Borden, the 19th century woman who became a part of American folklore after being accused (and acquitted) of murdering her father and stepmother with a hatchet.

Sevigny is in the early stages of developing the project with Playtone, the Tom Hanks-and-Gary Goetzman production company that produced ‘Big Love.’

When we spoke to her back in December for this profile, she confessed that pitching the project was ‘the most terrifying thing, 10 million times worse than auditioning. Normally the writer does most of that, but I brought visuals and books. I was totally geeky, and I was like, I don’t know how this works but look at this! I just wanted to show enthusiasm.’

Sevigny admits that almost all of her roles have been the result of ‘an incoming call’ -- which suggests that taking the lead on a TV project was a brave new experience.

‘Yes, fun and scary. Making lists of production designers and costume designers and directors, and things like that. I thought about directing a couple of shorts I had ideas for ... I had always wanted to because it’s so hard to find good parts. I was just kind of waiting for something to happen, some kind of spark of inspiration, so when I found that, I was gung-ho.’

Although her ‘Big Love’ character, Nicki, is intensely manipulative, Sevigny herself seems much more laid back. Is she bossy enough to run a show?

‘Oh my God, I’m bossy! You should see me on the set. Once I had a director tell me, ‘You know what I find works for me, Chloe? When I focus on my own job.’ I said, ‘You’re leaving in a week, this is my show.’ I’m a control freak. I’d be very good as a director.’

RELATED:

Chloe Sevigny and ‘Big Love’ creators talk about the end of the season

-- Joy Press
Twitter.com/joypress