( CNN ) Kerry Washington is headed for HBO . The `` Scandal '' star has signed on to play Anita Hill and executive produce a TV movie for the premium cable network , The Hollywood Reporter has learned . Called `` Confirmation , '' the telepic — which is in development from HBO Films — will detail the explosive 1991 Clarence Thomas-Hill Supreme Court nomination hearings , which brought the country to a standstill and forever changed the way people think about sexual harassment , victims ' rights and modern-day race relations . See more on-set with the gladiators : inside the fast-paced world of ABC 's 'Scandal ' Academy Award nominated writer Susannah Grant ( `` Erin Brockovich '' ) will pen the script and executive produce the drama , which is being produced by Groundswell Productions in association with ABC Signature Studios . Groundswell CEO Michael London ( ABC 's upcoming soap `` Astronaut Wives Club '' ) and production president Janice Williams will executive produce alongside Grant and star Washington . Sources tell THR that Rick Famuyiwa ( Sundance hit `` Dope , '' `` The Wood '' ) is in talks to direct the pic , but no deal is in place . See more : 40 Years of HBO . Confirmation comes as Washington was poised to film Warner Bros. ' feature drama `` Unforgettable '' in the summer for director Amma Assante but the HBO project may take over the `` Scandal '' star 's hiatus from her ABC Shonda Rhimes series . For HBO , `` Confirmation '' comes as the premium cabler is building its roster of original films . The cabler this week tapped Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti to play tennis legends Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs , respectively , in a movie detailing the duo 's legendary Battle of the Sexes match . Additionally , HBO is also prepping an adaptation of Bryan Cranston 's Tony winner `` All the Way '' with Jay Roach attached to direct . Read more : TV Ratings : 'Empire ' Audience Grows , Though Demo Finally Holds . The `` Confirmation '' deal also marks a big off-network sale for ABC Signature , the boutique arm of ABC Studios . It 's also HBO 's latest buy from an outside studio following series including Warner Bros. Television 's `` The Leftovers '' and upcoming `` Westworld . '' Grant is repped by CAA and Kleinberg Lange ; Washington is with CAA , Washington Square Films and Hansen Jacobson ; Famuyiwa is with CAA , Oasis Media Group and Del Shaw . ©2015 The Hollywood Reporter . All rights reserved .
`` Scandal '' actress Kerry Washington to star as Anita Hill in Supreme Court movie . Hill is the former colleague of HBO Justice Clarence Thomas who accused him of sexual harassment .