Jessica Chastain to play country music legend Tammy Wynette in a limited series

Variety

Spectrum Originals and Paramount Network are teaming to co-produce George & Tammy, about the country music power couple Tammy Wynette and George Jones, whose complicated relationship inspired some of the most iconic music of all time. George & Tammy will marks the return to TV for two-time Oscar nominee Chastain, who appeared on ER and Veronica Mars early in her career. George & Tammy will first air on Spectrum Originals for an exclusive nine-month run, followed by a second window on Paramount Network and ViacomCBS' unnamed forthcoming streaming service. The limited series is based on the 2011 book The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, written by the couple's daughter, Georgette Jones. The book will be adapted by Filthy Rich and Dead to Me producer Abe Sylvia. Wynette, known as the “First Lady of Country Music" with “Stand by Your Man” as her most iconic song, had a total of 20 No. 1 songs on the country charts. Wynette had a tumultuous marriage to Jones from 1969 to 1975, though they continued collaborating after their divorce. Wynette died in 1998 at age 55. “I first read Abe’s feature script a few years ago and couldn’t get it out of my head — the examination of human frailty and redemption was so unexpected, given the glitz and glamour of the subject matter,” said Katherine Pope, head of Spectrum Originals. “We all thought we knew who Tammy Wynette was, but there is so much more to her that we never saw. Jessica brings her incredible depth of intelligence, empathy and strength to peel back all the layers of this country superstar. It’s an honor to work with this dream team — all the producers and our partners at 101 Studios and Paramount Network — we can’t wait to bring this incredible series to our viewers.”