Elle Fanning & Sarah Paulson to Star in Psychological Drama 'I Am Sybil'

by Darian Scalamoni

    Two terrific actresses are coming together for what sounds like a very intriguing project that falls under the psychological drama category. According to an exclusive report from Deadline, Elle Fanning (The Great, The Girl from Plainville) and Sarah Paulson (Ratched, American Horror Story) will star in I Am Sybil.

    I Am Sybil centers around the enthralling true story behind the best-selling book of the same name, in which the titular character, Sybil, was the first mainstream case of dissociative identity disorder, which is better known as multiple personality disorder. Sybil was a pseudonym given to the patient in question, Shirley Mason back in 1973 after she was the subject of a study by psychologist, Connie Wilbur. Mirrah Foulkes (Judy & Punch, Upright) will direct and adapt the story from Debbie Nathan's 2011 text, Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case.

    Fanning is due to play the role of Shirley Mason, while Paulson is being courted to play Connie Wilbur. Though this will be a fresh take on the high-profile American mental health case, this is not the first time this story has been told for entertainment. Two TV movie adaptations, both titled, Sybil, made their way to television. First, Sally Field and Joanne Woodaward's 1976 series aired on NBC winning four Emmy Awards in the process. Thirty one years later, in 2007, Tammy Blanchard, Jessica Lange and JoBeth Williams had their own version of the story for CBS. I Am Sybil hopes to translate this gripping story for the big screen behind two powerhouse talents.

    Fanning and Paulson are no strangers to high-profile American biographies in their work especially in recent years. Fanning recently starred in the Hulu limited series, The Girl from Plainville which told the tragic true story of Michelle Carter's unusual "texting-suicide" case with Conrad Roy III. The young actress was also nominated last year for her first Emmy for her leading role in comedy series, The Great. Next, she'll star alongside Timothee Chalamet and Monica Barbaro in A Complete Unknown revolving around iconic folk singer, Bob Dylan. Additionally, she'll appear in Rosebushpruning with Kristen Stewart and Josh O'Connor.

    Paulson is an Emmy-winner for her role as Marcia Clark in the first season of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson. She's been nominated 7 other times, mostly for her collaborations with Ryan Murphy. Paulson has also starred in Murphy's Netflix series, Ratched as the evil titular nurse in the prequel series to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Paulson will next lead the horror film Dust opposite Ebon Moss-Bachrach.