Ann Dowd, Essie Davis Join Australian Drama 'Lambs of God'

Foxtel's mystery thriller about three eccentric nuns on a remote island is being directed by Jeffrey Walker.

The Handmaid's Tale actress Ann Dowd and Essie Davis (The Babadook) are set to star in the dark gothic tale Lambs of God for Australian cable network Foxtel.

Dowd, Davis and U.K. actress Jessica Barden will play three eccentric nuns on a remote island forced to defend their lives and beliefs when a handsome priest, played by Sam Reid, tries to sell their dilapidated monastery. The miniseries, now shooting at Fox Studios Australia, is being produced by Foxtel, which plans to air it in 2019.

"Lambs of God is a lush, evocative drama that is both ancient and incredibly modern, with its timeless message of resilience, and the power of storytelling as a redemptive force," Foxtel head of drama Penny Win said Saturday in a statement. The four-parter was written by Sarah Lambert and based on the Australian novel by Marele Day.

Jeffery Walker (Modern Family, Ali's Wedding) is directing the project. Jason Stephens of Lingo Pictures is producing, with Helen Bowden, Win, Carl Fennessy, Mark Fennessy, Elisa Argenzio and Lambert executive producing.

Besides her Emmy-winning work on Handmaid's Tale in the role of the draconian Aunt Lydia and guest starring on HBO's The Leftovers, Dowd had five films at Sundance, including Ari Aster's horror pic Hereditary, Bart Layton's crime thriller American Animals and Silas Howard's A Kid Like Jake. She is repped by Innovative Artists and Principal Entertainment LA.

Davis appeared alongside Michael Fassbender and Marion Cottillard in Assassin's Creed and Sean Foley's Mindhorn. She is repped by WME and United Agents.

Barden's TV credits include Penny Dreadful, The Outcast and Coronation Street. She is repped by ICM Partners and Curtis Brown Group.