Knightley then starred as the 18th-century English aristocrat Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire in Saul Dibb's widely praised period drama "The Duchess" (2008), based on the best-selling biographical novel, "Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire" by Amanda Foreman.- - </ref> Although multiple media reports suggested that the use of parallels between the central character's life to that of Diana, Princess of Wales was being used as a marketing strategy for the project, Knightley denied any such connection. Gabrielle Tana, the film's producer said the film was repeatedly delayed as they could not find the right actor for the role; she added that with Knightley "it all happened very, very quickly". Tana also said Knightley added a "brought an instinctive understanding" of such aspects of Georgiana's life as the celebrity issue and being thrust into the spotlight as she had herself experienced the same. The following year, she was nominated for a British Independent Film Award for Best Actress. A film adaptation of William Shakespeare's tragedy "King Lear" set to star Knightley and Anthony Hopkins was cancelled due to recession.