NEW YORK (AFP) - British Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones will star in the dark comedy Queen America, the first major series produced by Facebook, which is seeking a foothold in the uber-competitive market for original content.
The sultry 48-year-old actress, who took home an Oscar in 2003 for Chicago, confirmed her jump to the small screen - fittingly - in a Facebook post.
The news was first reported by Hollywood industry outlet Deadline.
"So excited about my next project!" wrote Zeta-Jones. "I think you're going to love it!"
Queen America takes a look at the cutthroat world of beauty pageants in America.
Zeta-Jones stars as ruthless coach Vicki Ellis, who is in high demand from girls and women hoping to be the next Miss America.
The 10 half-hour episodes will debut on Facebook's relatively new video platform Watch, according to Deadline.
In September, Facebook debuted Strangers.
Then in late April, it launched Skam Austin, an adaptation of a Norwegian programme.
It has also ordered a half-hour dramedy series starring US actress Elizabeth Olsen.
But snapping up Zeta-Jones - who is also a Tony winner for A Little Night Music - indicates a turning point for the world's largest social network in its efforts to offer original content to its two billion users.
Last year, Zeta-Jones played Olivia de Havilland in the FX series Feud: Bette And Joan.
Facebook did not respond to AFP requests for further comment on the project.