Cinemax in talks for Viola Davis, Dee Rees project

DavisReesAs "The AssistanceInch rides high in the B.O., thesp Viola Davis is turning her focus on the little screen, shepherding a potential starring half-hour vehicle for herself at Cinemax.Cinemax is near to finalizing deals for that untitled project Davis is developing with "Pariah" helmer Dee Rees, scribe Margaret Nagle and John Lesher.Series is stated to become phone corruption of the city with the eyes from the headmaster of the execlusive prep school that has her eye on bigger things. Davis would take part in the headmaster, though sources informed that there's no deal yet in position on her to star.Rees is penning the script and co-writing the storyline with Nagle, an Cinemax vet who mostly lately authored for that pay cabler's period drama "Boardwalk Empire." Rees could also direct the pilot when the final deals are hammered out. Davis, Nagle, Lesher and the creating partner Adam Kassan would function as professional producers, with Rees like a co-professional producer.Rees designed a mark only at that year's Sundance fest using the LGBT-designed drama "Pariah," that was scooped up by Focus Features (Daily Variety, Jan. 31).Additionally to "The Assistance,Inch Davis is going to be back about the giant screen in December in Warner Bros.' "Very Noisy and extremely Close." Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com