Bates, Friend join Frears's 'Cheri'

Kathy Bates and Rupert Friend have joined Michelle Pfeiffer in Cheri, a French period drama from Stephen Frears, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film is an adaptation of a 1920s novel by French writer Collette that revolves around the son of a wealthy courtesan who is forced to give up a six-year relationship with an older woman.

Friend will play the title character who has an affair with Pfeiffer's Lea de Lonval. Bates is to play Madame Peloux, Cheri's mother.

The actor, who is dating Keira Knightley, has previously appeared in Pride & Prejudice and Outlaw.

Bates starred in Titanic and won an Oscar for her performance in 1990's Misery.

Cheri begins filming on location in Paris and London next month.