Tippi Hedren is 'The Girl' and more Alfred Hitchcock leading-lady obsessions

Alfred Hitchcock had a type: Cool, refined, intelligent, stylish, ladylike... and usually blonde. If his leading lady didn't fit that description when he cast her, he made sure to mold her in that image by the time the film came out.

HBO's "The Girl" goes behind the scenes of that process -- and shows the consequences of being the object of Hitchcock's fascination. Above are actors Toby Jones and Sienna Miller as Hitchcock and leading lady Tippi Hedren in the new HBO film.

Hedren was an unknown model when Hitchcock cast her as the lead in "The Birds," then "Marnie." He offered her a seven-year contract and took control of her grooming, her wardrobe and her professional development. But behind the scenes, the director became obsessed with Hedren, and insisted that she be sexually available to him. When she refused, he torpedoed her career.

Take a look at Hitchcock's leading ladies throughout his career -- including some actresses who may surprise you. "The Girl" premieres Saturday, Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.