‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Star Elisabeth Moss Cast As Mary Mallon In BBC America’s ‘Fever’

“The Handmaid’s Tale” star Elisabeth Moss will be headlining BBC America’s upcoming miniseries “Fever.”

According to Variety, the period drama will be based on Mary Beth Keane’s novel of the same title, which follows the life of an Irish immigrant and family cook named Mary Mallon. Mary was later dubbed as “Typhoid Mary” after she unknowingly spread typhoid among several wealthy families residing in New York in the early 20th century.

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Moss acquired the original rights to Keane’s book, and she sent it to Phil Morrison. The latter immediately signed on as director and executive producer. After BBC America picked up the upcoming series, Moss expressed her excitement over the project.

I’m so honored to be working with the incredible team of collaborators who have pulled together with Phil, Robin, BBC America and Annapurna. I look forward to telling this story about one of the most infamous women in America, ‘Typhoid Mary,’ a woman whose true tale has never been told. She was an immigrant in turn of the century New York, a time of huge change and progress in America. She was incredibly unique, stubborn, ambitious and in fierce denial of any wrongdoing until her death where she lived out her days imprisoned on an island just off of the Bronx. She is incredibly complicated, something I seem to enjoy playing.

As of late, there is no word on when “Fever” will be released on BBC America. But ahead of its air date, Moss can first be seen in Hulu’s acclaimed adaptation of the “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Moss plays the role of Offred in the hit series that received an early Season 2 renewal just weeks after it premiered in April, according to TV Line.

Talking about her role in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Moss told TV Line’s Michael Ausiello (via Deadline) that she enjoys tackling very dark material. “I love that [expletive.] It’s my bread and butter, it’s what I enjoy the most doing. I get really bored doing things where I’m too happy,” she said.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” is based on Margaret Atwood’s famed novel by the same title.