One criticism that can't be levelled at Matt Smith is his versatility when it comes to roles.

He's played Doctor Who and he's portrayed Prince Philip in The Crown, and now he'll play cult leader Charles Manson, leader of the notorious Manson family who killed a number of people in the late 1960s, including actress Sharon Tate.

Smith had been rumoured for the role in Mary Harron's forthcoming film (not to be confused with the Tarantino biopic of Manson) but it's now been locked down.

Other cast members have been announced, including Suki Waterhouse (Insurgent, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)Hannah Murray (Gilly from Game of Thrones), Odessa Young (Assassination Nation) Marianne Rendon (Imposters), Carla Gugino (Sin City, Watchmen), Kaylie Carter (Godless, Rings) and Merritt Wever (Godless, Nurse Jackie).

It will focus on three female members of the cult who are sentenced to death (later commuted to life imprisonment) following the murders and is set to start shooting this spring.

Via THR