It has been announced that principal photography has commenced in the UK on Eva Husson’s MOTHERING SUNDAY, with Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Gangs of London, THE HUNTSMAN: WINTER’S WAR) joining the cast of the feature film.
The information has been shared by producers Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley of Number 9 Films.
Dìrísù joins the previously announced cast including Odessa Young, BAFTA nominee Josh O’Connor, Oscarwinner Colin Firth and Oscar winner Olivia Colman.
Lionsgate UK has acquired the UK distribution rights for the film and is planning a theatrical release in 2021.
Rocket Science is handling international sales and has closed a number of deals, including selling Australian distribution rights to Transmission and Japanese rights have gone to Shochiku.
The film is written by Emmy nominee Alice Birch (Normal People, Succession) and is based on the critically acclaimed and best-selling novel of the same name by Graham Swift.
The film has been developed with support from Film4 and the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, with financing from Film4, BFI and Lipsync. Film4 retain UK free TV broadcast rights.
MOTHERING SUNDAY centres on March 30, 1924 in Beechwood, England. Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young), a maid in the Niven household, has the day off to celebrate Mothering Sunday while Mr. and Mrs. Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman) attend a lunch to celebrate the engagement of their neighbour’s only remaining son, Paul (Josh O’Connor). Although Jane rejoices at her freedom on an unseasonably hot, beautiful spring day, she has no mother to go to—and for almost seven years she has, joyfully and without shame, been Paul’s lover. Like the Nivens, Paul belongs to England’s old- monied social class, whereas Jane was orphaned at birth. With the house conveniently empty, they can finally meet in Paul’s bedroom for the first time. Today will be their last as lovers. It is also the day that will mark the beginning of Jane’s transformation.
Dìrísù will play the role of Donald, a significant figure in Jane’s later life.
The prolific behind the scenes team includes three-time OscarÒ-winning costume designer Sandy Powell (THE IRISHMAN, MARY POPPINS RETURNS, THE FAVOURITE), BAFTA-winning hair and make-up designer Nadia Stacey (THE FAVOURITE, upcoming CRUELLA), BAFTA TV nominated production designer Helen Scott (A Very English Scandal, WUTHERING HEIGHTS), BIFA nominated cinematographer Jamie Ramsay (MOFFIE, BEAUTY), and editor Emilie Orsini (GIRLS OF THE SUN, THE PARTY).
Producers Elizabeth Karlsen & Stephen Woolley commented: “We’ve been following Ṣọpẹ́’s career as an actor in theatre, film and television for some time – he gave a standout performance as Biff in Marianne Elliot’s Death of a Salesman, and along with director Eva Husson we believe he will make a fantastic Donald in Alice Birch’s adaptation of Graham’s novel. His versatility and skill will be a great asset in playing a character whose age range spans across two decades, and we are very excited to add him to an already exceedingly talented cast.”
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù is quickly establishing himself as an internationally renowned actor, showcasing a range of disciplines across film, television and theatre. Upcoming projects include the AMC/SKY action series, Gangs of London, which has already been slated for a second season with a global launch; Remi Weekes’ horror/thriller, HIS HOUSE, launching globally on October 30, 2020; as the voice of ‘Sergi’ in the second season of HBO/BBC’s His Dark Materials; as well as his role in the ensemble cast of Camille Griffin’s holiday comedy, SILENT NIGHT. Dìrísù will also soon begin lensing Emma Holly Jones’ romantic comedy, MR. MALCOM’S LIST.
Past works include AMC’s Humans and in Netflix’s critically acclaimed series, Black Mirror, for which he received the 2017 Rising Star Award for the Screen Nation Film and Television Awards. On stage, Dìrísù was also most recently seen in Marianne Elliott’s acclaimed Death of a Salesman, performed at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End.
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