Rachel Brosnahan to Lead CBS' Upcoming Miniseries THE DOVEKEEPERS

MANHATTAN's Rachel Brosnahan will join Cote de Pablo in THE DOVEKEEPERS, a four-hour CBS miniseries event from executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, according to Deadline. The project is based on Alice Hoffman's acclaimed historical novel about four extraordinary women whose lives intersect in a fight for survival at the siege of Masada.

Brosnahan will play Yael, "a uniquely beautiful and fearless young woman whose mother died in childbirth and whose father forever blames her for that loss. During the dangerous journey they make together through the desert, Yael has a whirlwind romance that will haunt her life even after they arrive at Masada. Yet, Yael is able to find comfort from her supportive warrior brother, Amram (Diego Boneta), and kinship from her fellow dovekeeper, Shirah (de Pablo), as the two women fight for survival in a crumbling world."

De Pablo will play Shirah, another of the four women, who is a sensual, mysterious and fiercely independent single mother with uncanny insights and a quiet and mysterious power. She is derided by many as the "Witch of Moab," as she covertly practices Forbidden ancient rites of magic and is keenly knowledgeable about herbal remedies. However, those in need don't hesitate to approach her for her help and generosity of spirit.

Set in ancient Israel, THE DOVEKEEPERS is based on the true events at Masada in 70 C.E. After being forced out of their home in Jerusalem by the Romans, 900 Jews were ensconced in a fortress at Masada, a mountain in the Judean desert. Besieged at Masada, the Jews held out for months against the vast Roman armies. The miniseries will recount the unfolding events from the perspective of four extraordinary women who arrive at Masada with unique backstories, but who share a common bond for survival.

Hoffman's novel was first published in 2011 by Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, earning the New York Times' bestseller status and widespread critical acclaim, including being hailed by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison as "a major contribution to 21st century literature."

Executive producers Roma Downey and multiple Emmy Award winner Mark Burnett ("Survivor," "The Voice"), under their banner LightWorkers Media, are the production team behind the Emmy-nominated 10-hour miniseries "The Bible," which scored big ratings last year, and the feature "Son of God."

Frank Siracusa, John Weber and Yves Simoneau also serve as executive producers, with Simoneau directing. Ann Peacock is adapting the novel for the screen.

The miniseries is the first project from CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios' Limited Series and Event Programming unit. THE DOVEKEEPERS is a co-production between CBS Television Studios and LightWorkers Media.

Photo by Walter McBride

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