Hilary Swank to star in British TV movie

LONDON, July 17 (UPI) -- Double Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank is to star in "Mary & Martha," a TV movie penned by Richard Curtis and directed by Phillip Noyce, the BBC announced.

The "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby" actress will act opposite English actress Brenda Blethyn in the small-screen project about mothers who lose their children to malaria and are compelled to raise awareness about the disease, the British broadcaster said.

"I've long admired Phillip's work," Swank said in a statement. "When he shared with me this extraordinary story and I read Richard's beautiful script, I was inspired."

"This long overdue story is Richard Curtis at his best," said Blethyn of the scribe, whose films include "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill" and "Love Actually." He also created the British sitcom "The Vicar of Dibley" with comedienne Dawn French.

Blethyn has starred in "Little Voice" and "Secrets and Lies."

Noyce has directed "Salt," "Patriot Games," "The Quiet American" and "Rabbit-Proof Fence."