Maria Shriver is American royalty. The gorgeous and successful newswoman is linked to the Kennedy clan and recently became the first lady of California. And now, she's about to see her life flash before her eyes, in a new A&E TV movie about the life of her husband, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. We talked to Mariel Hemingway about playing Maria and the tragic connection she feels with Maria.

"Usually you get a character and you have to create a history," Mariel told us. "But I already have a history with her."

Mariel may not be a political guru but, like the Kennedys, she's dealt with public hardships, including the untimely death of her sister Margaux. "She comes from a very well-known family, which I come from, under the microscope and with many tragedies in her life. I have quite a few tragedies in my own," Mariel revealed. "So I feel there's a kindredness to playing her."

Mariel plans to use yoga as one tool to get her mind focused on her new role. In fact, the yoga devotee is actually leading the Natural Instincts Yoga Festival in different cities across the country this summer.

"I'm going to talk about yoga, lead them in some very basic yoga, but I want them to feel comfortable about it," she told us.

And ultimately, Hemingway wants Maria to feel comfortable with her portrayal of her in the movie, telling us, "I have written her a note just telling her that I really honor her as a woman, as a human being, and as a force in politics in this country."

Look for Mariel as Maria on A&E next year.