Brittany Murphy Documentary Exploring Her Tragic Death Officially Heading To HBO Max

The actor, known for her roles in Clueless and 8 Mile died aged just 32 in 2009. At the time, her death was ruled as an accident, and the result of a combination of pneumonia and the effects of several over-the-counter drugs she had taken.

Her husband at the time, screenwriter Simon Monjack, died a year later from similar causes.

Brittany's passing was a huge shock to Hollywood, which several pundits having previously speculated on the circumstances that lead to her death.

It was reported that Brittany's health started to decline when she caught a Staph infection while out filming in Puerto Rico in 2009.

The disease resulted in a case of laryngitis and anaemia, and while she reportedly intended to seek medical attention, she was pronounced dead in Cedars-Sinai hospital weeks later.

The two-part series will be made by Blumhouse Television and Pyramid Productions, which have previously been behind productions including Sharp Objects and Black Box.

Speaking about the new series, executive vice president of HBO Max's non-fiction and live-action family programming, Jennifer O'Connell, explained: "Our Brittany Murphy documentary cuts through the tabloid noise with an elevated, nuanced depiction of a sensational story.

"Crafting a grounded account of Brittany Murphy's life struggles and sudden passing comes with great responsibility and we've partnered with a masterful creative team to produce a thoughtful examination of a tragedy that has long been cause for speculation."

The film is to be directed by Cynthia Hill, whose previous work includes Private Violence ­- a documentary film about domestic abuse. She said of the project: "I agreed to do this film because I think it's a shame that Brittany's promising life and career has been eclipsed by the circumstances of her death.

"I think it's important to celebrate Brittany's talent as we struggle to explain the tragic circumstances of her and Simon's deaths."

Executive Vice President for Blumhouse Television Mary Lisio added: "Brittany Murphy was a rising star whose filmography includes movies that defined a generation.

"We thought her story warrants a deeper exploration, and examination into the environment that allowed her to become a victim of success. We're thrilled to be partnering with HBO Max, and to collaborate with a director like Cynthia Hill who takes a nuanced approach to complex stories about women and contemporary issues."