The ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ franchise found its first new cast member for the sequel, ‘Fifty Shades Darker’. Kim Basinger will play the key role of Elena Lincoln, Christian Grey’s business partner and former lover. It was earlier rumoured that Charlize Theron would play the part. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan will reprise their roles of Anastasia Steele and Grey respectively.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are back as whippersnappers-in-love Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey in the sequel to Universal’s adaptation of the E.L. James best-seller that climaxed at $570 million worldwide.

James Foley is directing the follow-up, with Basinger in one of the movie’s few new roles: Elena Lincoln. Lincoln is one of Grey’s business partners and, more importantly, the older woman and former lover that initiated him into the world of S&M. A production start of mid-February is being planned.

Basinger won a best supporting Oscar for her turn opposite Russell Crowe in 1997’s L.A. Confidential and this May reunites with him for The Nice Guys, Shane Black’s pulpy 1970s-set thriller that also stars Ryan Gosling. Her credits range from James Bond movie Never Say Never Again to Eminem’s 8 Mile.