BAFTA Rising Star winner Mia McKenna-Bruce has joined the cast of “The Species,” the upcoming drama from Justin Chadwick (“Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom,” “The Other Boleyn Girl,” “Bleak House”).
The “How to Have Sex” breakout, recently seen in “The Lady” and set to star in the upcoming “The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event,” joins Anthony Hopkins, Charlotte Rampling and Tom Hollander in the feature, being sold internationally by HanWay Films in Cannes.
“The Species” follows Emma Darwin (Rampling), recently widowed following the death of famed naturalist Charles Darwin (Hopkins), as she finds herself locked in a battle with her son George and pushy publisher Marshall Winwick (Hollander) over Charles’ autobiography. It presents a challenge to her faith: will the publication of her almost heretically atheist husband’s work jeopardise his safe passage to heaven and their chance to be reunited in the afterlife? McKenna-Bruce will play Jane, the family’s maid at the Darwin estate.
The script is written by Jacob Killion, with award-winning British theater, television and film director Chadwick at the helm. Chadwick’s recent television credits include serving as lead director on “Shardlake” for Disney+, and directing “Becoming Elizabeth” for Starz, “Tin Star” for Sky and “Next of Kin” for ITV. Visual collaborator is Oscar-nominated photographer and filmmaker Evgenia Arbugaeva( “Haulout”). The score comes from by Lorne Balfe (“Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” “The Crown,” “Top Gun: Maverick”). Eyde Belasco is casting.
“Mia is a perfect addition to this most excellent cast.” said Gabrielle Stewart, CEO of HanWay Films. “She brings a fresh youthful authenticity to the roles she plays and ‘How to Have Sex’ landed her as a very exciting talent coming out of the U.K..”
The film is produced by Christian Taylor (Taylor Lane Productions) and Mary Aloe (Aloe Entertainment). Rich Bolger of Hail Mary Pictures is co-producing with support by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. The U.K. co-producer is Patrick O’Neill of Wildcard. Executive Producers include Charlotte Dauphin of Dauphin Films, Tom Heller, and Steve Alexander and Idylia Hachi of AHA Productions.
“The Species” has already some key major distrobutors including KMBO in France; Wild Bunch in Germany, Austria and Switzerland; Nos Lusomundo in Portugal; MCF Megacom in Former Yugoslavia; Front Row in the MENA territories; Bir Film in Turkey; The Film Group in Greece; and Shaw Organisation in Singapore.
Mia McKenna-Bruce is repped by Curtis Brown and CAA. Anthony Hopkins is repped by UTA and Goodman, Genow. Charlotte Rampling is repped by Diamond Management. Tom Hollander is repped by CAA, United Agents and Anonymous Content. Justin Chadwick is repped by UTA and Independent Talent Group.
