Findlay Goes Deep Into "A Winter's Tale"

"Downton Abbey" co-star Jessica Brown Findlay has won the female lead in Akiva Goldsman's supernatural thriller Winter's Tale says Deadline.

An adaptation of the 1983 Mark Helprin novel of the same name, follows Peter Lake, an orphaned mechanic who tries to rob a palatial West Side mansion. There he meets a young dying girl who he becomes determined to save. A flying white horse also figures into the story which is set in both 19th Century and contemporary Manhattan.

Findlay was among a group of young actresses up for the part that included Lily Collins and Bella Heathcote.

The likes of Benjamin Walker and Tom Hiddleston were among those in contention for the male lead--But now it seems that its down to Aaron Johnson and Garrett Hedlund to play the thief.

Russell Crowe is in talks to play a half a demon gangster boss named Pearly Soames, with Will Smith perhaps appearing in a small part as a judge. Both men have worked with Goldsman on films before.

Production kicks off October 15th in New York.