The star of Showtime’s series Californication will play a woman who joins forces with a mysterious group of strangers to escape a terrifying underground facility.

UK filmmaker Matt Winn will direct from a script he co-wrote with Chris Denne. The project’s concept won a screenwriting competition staged by the now defunct UK Film Council and was initially developed by Lionsgate UK and the UK Film Council before Atlantic Picture Company acquired rights. 

Mark Shields and Kirk Weddell of Atlantic Picture Company are producing with Gareth Jones serving as executive producer. Further cast attachments are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

“Madeline creates extremely memorable characters,” Winn said of the actress, who has also featured in the NBC series Heroes and in Olivier Dahan’s My Own Love Song. “She can portray strength and vulnerability. She’s perfect for the role.” 

“This script is a real page turner with great characters,” Jones added. “Matt’s vision will create an intelligent and tense thriller that will keep audiences guessing till the end.” 

Zima is represented by UTA and managed by Brillstein Entertainment. Winn is represented by Matthew Dench at The Dench Arnold Agency and Chris Denne by Nick Marston at Curtis Brown. Weddell is managed by Leslie Conliffe at Intellectual Property Group.