Sarah Paulson Lands Lead Role in Searchlight’s Horror Thriller “Dust”

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Sarah Paulson at "The Goldfinch" gala premiere in 2019. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Shutterstock (10404922ba)

Sarah Paulson is the queen of the horror genre and she’s not leaving it behind any time soon. The Emmy-winning star of American Horror Story is set to take the lead role in Searchlight Pictures’ upcoming horror thriller Dust, replacing Claire Foy.

According to its official synopsis, Dust centers on a mother who takes extraordinary measures to protect her family after being trapped by increasingly perilous dust storms and haunted by her past encounters with a threatening presence.

Karrie Crouse wrote the script for this project, and she’s directing it alongside Will Joines. The filming is set to kick off in August, while the project is expected to stream on Disney’s DTC platforms as a Hulu Original, with additional release plans yet to be announced.

Searchlight presidents David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield described Paulson as “an extraordinary artist” and said they’re thrilled to be working with her again. She previously collaborated with Searchlight on Sean Durkin’s Martha Marcy May Marlene and Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave.

Paulson is currently in the running for an Emmy award for her role in Impeachment: American Crime Story, and she’s attached to several more exciting projects. She was recently cast in Clybourne Park, Bruce Norris’ film adaptation of his Pulitzer, Tony, and Olivier award-winning play.