Jennifer Lopez faces a new challenge in her career as an actress playing a notorious drug trafficker. The film focuses on the rise and fall of Griselda Blanco - better known in the world of drug trafficking as "the Godmother of Cocaine" who revolutionized the marketing of drugs in the 70's and 80's and became the most powerful female cartel member of all time.

In addition to playing the leading role, J.Lo will executive produce with her company Nuyorican Productions alongside company topper Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and the singer-actress' manager, Benny Medina, as well as LBI Entertainment's Julie and Rick Yorn.

Alex Pettyfer will co-executive produce alongside Nuyorican's Priscilla Porianda and LBI's Patrick Walmsley; the actor is attached only as a co-executive producer and it's unclear if Pettyfer will have any onscreen role in the movie.

No other member of the cast has been announced so far.

"I've been fascinated by the life of this woman so complicated and corrupt for many years," Lopez told Variety.

"The idea of working with HBO is perfect to finally bring to life the story of Griselda."

For Lopez, the HBO movie comes as production continues on season two of NBC drama Shades of Blue, which she also exec produces.

The singer-actress has been making a major TV push of late, with Nuyorican also behind Freeform's critical darling The Fosters.

This is the second project for HBO with a high profile star like Jennifer Lopez, after Oprah Winfrey agreed to participate in the television adaptation of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.