Jewel to Play June Carter Cash in Lifetime TV Movie

Singer, actress and author Jewel has been signed on to portray late country legend June Carter Cash in a biopic for the Lifetime network. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the fim is based on "Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash," the memoir written by John Carter Cash, June's son with the late Johnny Cash. The film will be directed by Allison Anders, whose credits include the music-themed films "Grace of My Heart" and "Things Behind the Sun." John Carter Cash will serve as one of the project's executive producers.

Actor Matt Ross ("American Horror Story") will play Johnny Cash in the story which will trace June's life from her Virginia childhood and charts her rise to fame as a popular performer and comedienne. The film will also detail her turbulent relationship Man in Black and her efforts to help him battle substance abuse. In "Walk the Line," the 2005 feature film about the couple's life together, Reese Witherspoon played June, earning a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal. Johnny was portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix.

"Many people know about the legendary love story of Johnny and June, but June Carter Cash has her own epic journey filled with triumphs, tragedies, loves and losses," says Lifetime's Rob Sharenow of the woman who died in May 2003 at age 73. "This movie will explore all aspects of the woman behind the icon, and we're thrilled Jewel will be playing the role."

While Jewel's most recent TV work has been as host of Bravo's music competition series "Platinum Hit," and she has appeared as herself in films such as "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story" and the ABC series "Men in Trees," the four-time Grammy winner made her acting debut in 1999's "Ride With the Devil," directed by Ang Lee ("Brokeback Mountain"). She released her first children's book earlier this year.

Filming of "The June Carter Cash Story" is set to begin in Atlanta this summer. The film is expected to premiere on Lifetime later this year.