“Matilda the Musical” star Alisha Weir is set to lead upcoming coming of age feature “Underdogs,” the debut film from writer and director Fabia Martin (“The Rev”).
The adventure comedy follows two teenage girls, Nel and Zadie, as they run away from foster care only to find themselves competing at the world-famous pedigree dog show Crufts.
The girls form an unlikely bond while meeting a cast of wacky characters across the West Country as they search for freedom and family.
“Quirky dog-enthusiast Nel is eager to win over her new foster sister, but when an incident pushes Zadie to flee in search of her estranged birth mother, the pair find themselves on the run to Birmingham in a stolen ambulance,” reads the synopsis. “For Nel, their unforeseen road trip presents an unmissable opportunity to attend ‘the greatest dog show on earth.’”
Amber Grappy (“One Day”) joins as Patricia, the girls’ strung-out social worker, who is determined to find them and bring them home before their foster mother Sal can reach them.
“Underdogs” is set to shoot in the U.K. in the next year with Weir set to play Nel.
“‘Underdogs’ is inspired by young people I met through the mentoring charity PromiseWorks, who grew up in the care system and thrived despite it,” Martin said. “It’s a story about belonging, and the world of foster care seen through an honest lens with humour and heart.”
The film is produced by BAFTA-nominated Candid Broads Productions (“Arthur & Clara,” “The Date,” “Swim Sistas”).
Candid Broads founder Oriane Pick, who is producing the feature, said: “‘Underdogs’ offers a fresh perspective of the care system – one rooted in resilience and humour. We’re thrilled to be bringing Fabia’s debut feature to screen, and to have Alisha Weir and Amber Grappy starring in this bold and original story.”
Martin is working closely alongside individuals with experience of the care system, as well as PromiseWorks, to ensure the film’s authenticity.
Pick and Anais Ferrato produce for Candid Broads Productions. Aisha Bywaters (“We Are Lady Parts”) is attached as Casting Director.
