Heigl stars in HBO's 'The Knitting Circle'

HOLLYWOOD, April 9 (UPI) -- Katherine Heigl has signed on to play the lead in a television adaptation of the best-selling novel "The Knitting Circle," HBO Films said.

The former "Grey's Anatomy" star also will co-produce the project with her mom, Nancy Heigl.

The Hollywood Reporter said Saturday the project marks Heigl's return to TV. Since "Grey's Anatomy" she has been acting and producing on the film side. Her most recent effort was the movie "Life as We Know it."

"The Knitting Circle," the story of a grieving mom who finds comfort in a group of friends, was adapted for the screen by Craig Wright, whose writing credits include "Lost," "Six Feet Under" and "United States of Tara."