Jessica Chastain cancels Broadway performances

Jessica Chastain has pulled out of several performances of Broadway show The Heiress to support her critically-acclaimed new movie Zero Dark Thirty during the Hollywood awards season.

The Help star has already picked up a number of honors for her role in the drama, which is based on the real life hunt for terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, and has been nominated for many more, including a Golden Globe Award nod for Best Actress.

Jessica Chastain previously confessed she was worried about how she would juggle her Broadway commitment with her film duties, and now she has confirmed she will not take to the stage for a handful of The Heiress shows.

In a post on her Facebook.com page, she writes, "I wanted to give you all a heads up regarding the schedule for The Heiress - I will NOT be performing January 10th, 13th, and 27th, I'll be supporting Zero Dark Thirty at the Critic's Choice, Golden Globes, and SAG Awards.

"My fantastic understudy will perform the role of Catherine. If you've bought tickets for those dates, the theater will exchange them for you. Sorry if this inconveniences anyone. Much love."

Jessica Chastain is scheduled to perform in the production until February (13).