MUMBAI: David Strathairn has joined Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film Lincoln.

Strathairn will play William Seward, who served as Lincoln’s Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869. Seward was a passionate abolitionist and fiercely loyal to Lincoln as he served in his cabinet during the Civil War. On the other hand, Day-Lewis will play Lincoln while Field will play his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.

“Throughout his career, David Strathairn has consistently delivered performances of strength and character.

That‘s why I am so pleased that he will portray the Secretary of State, who became such a dominant figure in Lincoln‘s ‘team of rivals’ cabinet," director Spielberg has been quoted to have said.

The film is being produced by Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy and the filming is expected to roll this fall. Disney’s Touchstone is looking at a fourth-quarter release date in 2012.