Entertainment

David Simon Show May Be Winona Ryder's Comeback

by Caroline Pate

Winona Ryder has starred in some of the greatest films of the late '80s and the '90s: Beetlejuice, Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, Reality Bites, Little Women...the list goes on. But it seems like there's been less and less of the dark and sardonic actress on the big screen in recent years. Sure, she had a great part in Black Swan, but it was far from a starring role. But if anyone could help her make a comeback, it's David Simon, creator of The Wire. Simon is creating a six-hour miniseries for HBO called Show Me a Hero, based on the book of the same name by Lisa Belkin. The starring role has already been cast with Oscar Isaac, star of last year's Inside Llewyn Davis. Winona Ryder as been cast as Vinni Restiano, a councilwoman and confidant to Wasiczko who loses her seat after the housing vote only to stage a comeback and win City Council President four years later.

The nonfiction story follows Nick Wasicsko, a mayor of a midsize American city who struggles with integrated housing after a federal court order requires him to build a certain number of public housing units in white neighborhoods. The attempt creates a huge controversy and ruins Wasiczko's political career.

And the other roles cast in the miniseries already look promising. Catherine Keener will play Mary Dorman, and homeowner who comes to a "remarkable realization" during the housing fight. Alfred Molina will play cop Henry J. Spallone, the face of the housing movement opposition. And former Walking Dead actor Jon Bernthal will play Michael H. Sussman, the lawyer who represented the NAACP when it joined in support the government's anti-segregation decision that enacted the housing movement.

Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

So, even if this incredibly promising miniseries doesn't rocket Winona Ryder back to stardom, at least we know one thing: we'll finally be able to see Veronica Sawyer back onscreen in a role deserving of her talent.