'The Fast and the Furious 8' cast news: Helen Mirren joins cast

Helen Mirren to portray the role of a former CIA agent in 'Fast 8' Wikimedia Commons/See Li

The eighth installment of "The Fast and the Furious" franchise will now have Helen Mirren in its cast.

After speaking with Elle to discuss her upcoming film "Eye In The Sky," the Oscar Award-winning actress confirmed that she will appear in "Fast 8" alongside Vin Diesel, Charlize Theron, Michelle Rodriguez, Kurt Russell and fellow British actor Jason Statham. But she had made one condition before she agreed to sign up for the film.

"I said, 'I'll be in it, but only if I'm allowed to drive if I do drive in it.' But we'll see. We'll see how it transpires," the critically acclaimed actress said.

Mirren will portray the role of an ex-CIA agent named Magdalena, who was hired by Hobbs (Johnson) to help Dom (Diesel) and his crew defeat the new villain, Cipher (Theron).

The actress is known for portray fierce, regal roles. She earned her Oscar in 2007 for portraying the role of Queen Elizabeth in the film "The Queen." According to Mirren, she prefers to explore all types of roles.

"I don't want to turn my back on any of the different ways movies can be. I love the movies. I love going to the films. I like very serious films, I love foreign films, and I love big, fun movies–as long as they're well made and they've got good scripts," the actress explained. "That's the most important thing."

The actress first talked about her desire to join the cast of the hit action movie franchise in an interview with Yahoo! Movies in March 2015, when she said, "My great ambition is to be in a Fast and Furious movie. I so want to be a mad driver in a Fast and Furious movie."

"Fast 8" will be helmed by "Straight Outta Compton" director F. Gary Gray and will be released on April 14, 2017.

News
Almost half of UK adults plan to attend church this Christmas, new poll finds
Almost half of UK adults plan to attend church this Christmas, new poll finds

Churches across the UK are expecting fuller pews this Christmas, as new research suggests a significant rise in the number of people planning to attend services and church-run events over the festive season.

ACNA panel recommends archbishop stand trial
ACNA panel recommends archbishop stand trial

The Board of Inquiry issued a short statement on Friday stating that there was “probable cause to present” ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood “for trial for violation of Canon 2 of this Title.”

Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message
Controversial US bishop to give BBC Christmas message

The BBC has invited Bishop Mariann Budde, the US bishop who challenged President Donald Trump at an inauguration service in January, to give a Christmas message.

Australian church leaders stand in solidarity with Jewish community after Bondi Beach terrorist attack
Australian church leaders stand in solidarity with Jewish community after Bondi Beach terrorist attack

Christian leaders in Australia have expressed their solidarity with the country's grief-stricken Jewish community after a deadly terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday night.