Adepero Oduye, who starred in the 2011 indie/drama hit “Pariah” is circling ‘12 YEARS A SLAVE,’ the third, and arguably biggest directing effort from British helmer Steve McQueen (Shame). When she signs the dotted line, Oduye will co-star alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt.

Based on a true story, the Civil War-era piece centers on Solomon Northrup, a New York citizen who was kidnapped in Washington in 1841 and rescued from a cotton plantation in Louisiana in 1853. Oduye would play the female lead in the film. McQueen wrote the script with John Ridley.

The pic will serve as Oduye’s follow-up to her critically acclaimed performance in “Pariah,” where she played a 17-year-old girl living in Brooklyn, as she quietly embraced her identity as a young lesbian woman.

New Line will distribute “12 Years A Slave” with Plan B and River Road to produce.

Via The Tracking Board

I’ve heard great things about Adepero Oduye. My friends who have seen “Pariah” say she’s amazing. Good casting is good.