Geena Davis to Play Serial Killer Dorothea Puente in New HBO Series

Academy Award winner Geena Davis is set to lead the cast of a new HBO crime thriller based on the true story of one of America's most notorious female serial killers.

HBO has begun development on a new drama series, currently titled Dorothea, which will chronicle the crimes of Dorothea Puente, a woman whose name became synonymous with one of California’s most infamous criminal cases. Geena Davis will star in the lead role and also serve as an executive producer. The project marks her first major television series in many years with her as the central lead.

The True Story That Shocked America

The series is based on the life of Dorothea Puente, who operated a boarding house for low-income residents in Sacramento during the 1980s. To neighbours and acquaintances, she appeared to be a kind and compassionate woman who cared for elderly people, the homeless and those struggling to get by.

Behind that image, however, authorities uncovered a deadly scheme. Investigators concluded that Puente murdered several of her tenants and continued collecting their Social Security benefits after their deaths. According to prosecutors, financial gain was the primary motive behind the killings.

The Creative Team Behind the Series

The screenplay is being written by Joshua Michael Stern, best known for Jobs. He will also serve as the show's showrunner.

The original concept came from Michael Rosenbaum, known for Smallville, and his writing partner Jane Whitney. After developing the idea, they brought Joshua Michael Stern on board, while Geena Davis’ involvement helped package the project before it was picked up by HBO.

Why the Dorothea Puente Case Became So Infamous

For years, Puente escaped suspicion largely because of her impeccable public reputation. Many people viewed her as a caring elderly woman dedicated to helping society’s most vulnerable. That image allowed her to avoid attracting the attention of law enforcement for an extended period.

Following her arrest, the case drew nationwide attention. Puente was ultimately convicted of three murders, although investigators believed she may have been responsible for several more deaths. She spent the remainder of her life in prison, and her story has since inspired numerous documentaries, books and investigative reports.

Geena Davis Continues Her Return to the Screen

In recent years, Geena Davis has gradually expanded her presence in film and television after a lengthy hiatus. She will next appear in the comedy The Wrong Girls and the action film The Kellys, where she stars alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Liam Hemsworth.

The actress also recently appeared in the supernatural Netflix series The Borough, which was cancelled after its first season despite attracting audience interest. The new HBO drama could become one of the defining projects of her career comeback, with the role of Dorothea Puente shaping up to be one of the most challenging and dramatic performances she has ever undertaken.