Hollywood star Naomi Watts to play Gretchen Carlson in upcoming Showtime series

Hollywood star Naomi Watts has been roped in to play the role of Gretchen Carlson in the upcoming Showtime limited series about former Fox News head Roger Ailes.

The show also stars Russell Crowe, who will play Ailes, reported Variety.

The series is based on Gabriel Sherman's bestselling book "The Loudest Voice in the Room". Sherman co-wrote the first episode of the series with Tom McCarthy.

Crowe and McCarthy will also executive produce along with Jason Blum, Marci Wiseman and Jeremy Gold for Blumhouse Television, Alex Metcalf, and Liza Chasin of 3dot Productions.

Kari Skogland will direct the first two episodes.

Carlson became popular over a decade ago at Fox News, first as a co-anchor at "Fox and Friends" before going on to anchor her own show, "The Real Story".

She was one of the firsts of multiple women to file a sexual harassment suit against Ailes after leaving Fox News.

(With inputs from agencies.)