Andre Holland is in negotiations to join Viola Davis and “Color Purple” star Cynthia Erivo in director Steve McQueen’s New Regency big screen adaptation of the British TV series “Widows,” which aired in 1983, and told the story the widows of 3 crime bosses killed during a robbery attempt, who are being pressured by the police, as well as a rival group of thieves intent on taking over their husbands’ crime business. The widows then team up to eliminate both problems, as they bring on a 4th woman to pull off a heist of their own.

In the original, the 3 widows are played by white actresses, but the 4th woman who’s enlisted, was played by a black actress in Eva Mottley.




McQueen’s adaptation will be a feature film, not a TV series, and will be set in the U.S.A.

The project is being scripted by Gillian Flynn (“Gone Girl”) and McQueen, who will also produce, alongside Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films (“Shame,” “The Kings Speech”).

At this time, no word on what role any of the 3 actors will play.

Variety was first to report the news of Holland’s casting.

The original British “Widows” TV series isn’t available for USA audiences at this time, but I did find several episodes in full, on YouTube, so you can check them all out if you’re interested. I certainly will at some point. Below you’ll find season 1, episodes 1, 2 and 3 of the series: