‘Downton’ star joins new adaptation of Daphne du Maurier classic ‘Rebecca’

A new version of Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca is in the works.

First published in 1938, the classic romantic Gothic thriller was previously adapted by Alfred Hitchcock for his 1940 film, starring Sir Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine.

Rebecca tells the story of a newly-married young woman who, on arriving at her husband’s imposing family estate on a bleak English coast, finds herself battling the shadow of his dead first wife, the mysterious Rebecca, whose legacy continues to haunt the house.

Directed by Ben Wheatley, the new movie is being written by Jane Goldman, who wrote the script for 2012’s The Woman in Black and is working on the new Game of Thrones prequel series.

The cast will be led by Lily James, best known as Lady Rose in Downton Abbey. She’ll be playing the Second Mrs de Winter.

Call Me By Your Name star Armie Hammer will play her husband, Maximilian “Maxim” de Winter.

Rebecca is being developed by Netflix and is expected to premiere on the streaming service in 2020.

Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca is available on Amazon.