Panettiere To Play Convicted Murderer Knox In Tv Drama

The Heroes actress has signed a deal with America's Lifetime network to star in The Amanda Knox Story, the Hollywood tale of the real-life U.S. exchange student's sensational Italian murder trial surrounding the brutal killing of her roommate.

Knox became an object of international fascination at 20, when she and her Italian boyfriend were arrested in the country in November 2007 and accused by prosecutors of killing 21-year-old Meredith Kercher during a violent night fuelled by sex and drugs.

Knox, her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito and Italian native Rudy Guede were charged with sexually assaulting Kercher, while the American was accused of slashing her roommate's throat with a knife.

Knox's 11-month trial ended last December (09), and she was sentenced to 26 years in prison in an Italian jail. She maintains her innocence and has filed an appeal.

Sollecito received 25 years and, in a separate trial, Guede received 30 years.

The Amanda Knox Story is set to broadcast on U.S. TV next year (11).