Cattrall trades high heels for high collars

NEW YORK -- Kim Cattrall found many reasons to seize the role of Carrie Kipling, wife of British literary superstar Rudyard Kipling, in the film “My Boy Jack.”

The project, airing on PBS’ “Masterpiece Classic” at 9 p.m. Sunday, had instant appeal: Cattrall is a lifelong Kipling fan.

“He wrote a poem that I loved as a kid called ‘The Way Through the Woods,’ ” says the actress, 51. “I read ‘The Jungle Book,’ and my dad bought me ‘Kim,’ ‘cause it was called ‘Kim.’ Then I was shocked to find out someone with my name was a boy.”

Cattrall saw other reasons to sign on: “I had never played anyone who actually existed.”

Prominent among the characters she has played is larger-than-life Samantha Jones, the seductress from “Sex and the City.”

But in “My Boy Jack,” she plays the real-life mother of John “Jack” Kipling, who, despite being just 17 and plagued by poor eyesight, is determined to fight for his country as World War I breaks out. Jack’s influential father supports his patriotic zeal and pulls strings to get the lad inducted. But as this true story unfolds, Carrie fears the worst for her son.

Jack is portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe, with no hint of Harry Potter. Meanwhile, Rudyard Kipling is played by David Haig. He also wrote the script, adapting his own stage play, which opened in London in 1997.

“I always was very excited by the whole imperialistic period of the 1890s and the turn of the last century,” says Cattrall, who, though raised on Canada’s Vancouver Island, was born in Liverpool, England. “It was very grand and romantic, then came crashing to a halt after the first World War.”

For viewers who know her only as Samantha, Cattrall in “My Boy Jack” will be a revelation. Of course, Samantha isn’t gone from her life. “Sex and the City” will vault to the big screen next month.

Just two weeks after wrapping “My Boy Jack” last summer in Ireland and England, Cattrall was back home in New York to start filming the “Sex and the City” movie.

The film’s May 30 opening is eagerly anticipated, especially by the series’ devotees.

“Even at this late date, you just hope that it works,” says Cattrall. “But it was also that way with the series.”