Singer Britney Spears biopic coming to television

Lifetime, a US network geared toward women, said Wednesday it had given the green light to a two-hour film on the singer’s life, tentatively called “Britney,” to air next year.

Starring as Spears, one of the most recognisable musicians of her generation, will be Natasha Bassett, a rising actress from Australia, a Lifetime representative said.

Bassett, who started her own career as a child, appeared as a 1950s starlet in the latest film by the Coen Brothers, “Hail, Caesar!”

Lifetime said “Britney” will trace the 34-year-old Spears from her childhood in Louisiana, where her talent was recognised early on.

Spears became one of the most successful stars of the 1990s, topping the charts with songs that combined a squeaky-clean pop sound and undertones of teenage sexuality.

But her career quickly descended amid a messy personal life that included a highly public breakup with fellow star Justin Timberlake, two marriages in 2005 alone, and being caught on camera nearly dropping one of her two children from her lap while driving.

Spears has found more stability since starting a residency show in Las Vegas in late 2013.

She is releasing her ninth album, “Glory,” on Friday and two days later is set to perform at the MTV Video Music Awards.