Kate Levering to play Reese Witherspoon's role in 'Cruel Intentions' remake

LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- Kate Levering has joined the cast of NBC's forthcoming Cruel Intentions remake.

The 37-year-old actress will play an older version of Annette Hargrove, a role Reese Witherspoon originated in the 1999 movie. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred as Kathryn Merteuil in the film, will reprise the character in the remake.

The Cruel Intentions series will take place more than 15 years after the events of the movie. Annette is described as a "beautiful, genuine, strong and good Christian woman" who is mom to 17-year-old son Bash by the late Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe in the film).

Kathryn will battle for control of Valmont International and Bash's soul (Taylor John Smith) after he discovers Sebastian, Kathryn's step-brother, was his biological father. Bash travels to meet Kathryn in San Francisco and and is introduced "to a world of sex, money, power and corruption."

The TV remake hails from Cruel Intentions director Roger Kumble and producer Neal H. Moritz. Kumble will direct the pilot and co-write and executive produce with Lindsey Rosin and Jordan Ross, who staged the Unauthorized Musical Parody of Cruel Intentions.

Cruel Intentions the movie follows Kathryn's plan to take revenge on an ex-lover by having Sebastian seduce her ex's new girlfriend, Cecile (Selma Blair). Sebastian wagers instead he can seduce Annette, the virtuous daughter of their school's headmaster.

Levering is best known for playing Kim Kaswell on Lifetime series Drop Dead Diva, which came to a close after six seasons in 2014. She also portrayed Veronica Carter on Kevin Hill and has guest starred on Medium, White Collar and NCIS: Los Angeles.