Lauren Holly to headline 'Banshee' movie

NEW YORK, April 2 (UPI) -- Syfy says Lauren Holly and Lance Henriksen have signed on to star in a U.S. television movie called "Scream of the Banshee."

The movie is a collaboration between the network and After Dark Films, the independent production company behind the annual Horrorfest: 8 Films to Die For.

"Banshee" will air as part of Syfy's Saturday Original Movie franchise in 2011.

The film is about an archeology professor who unearths a dangerous artifact, unwittingly releasing a creature that is able to kill with the power of its bone-splitting scream.

"We've aired nearly 20 After Dark-acquired movies, which have played very well with our viewers," Thomas Vitale, executive vice president of programming and original movies, said in a statement. "Because of After Dark's strong branding, effective production values and understanding of the audience, we are excited to expand our relationship with the company by developing and commissioning new Saturday Original Movies with the After Dark team."

Holly is best known for her work on TV's "NCIS." Henriksen's film credits include "Aliens," "The Terminator," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "The Right Stuff."