Tag: Michelle Bonnard

Casting announcements

Posted on | by Eamonn

We’re excited to announce that Amelia May has been cast in Wild Cherry, a new six part series for the BBC and Firebird Pictures. Written and created by ‘Mood’ BAFTA winner Nicole Lecky, the show has been billed as “a provocative and deliciously honest look at mother/daughter relationships in a haze of social media, hidden apps and peer pressure”. Amelia takes the series leading role of Allegra, who becomes entangled in a shocking scandal at her private school with devastating consequences. Filming is currently underway.

Also for the BBC, Olwen May has joined the cast of new Sally Wainwright drama Riot Women. The six part series from the multi BAFTA award winning writer and director centres on a group of women who come together to create a makeshift punk rock band in order to enter a talent competition.  Filming takes place in West Yorkshire.  Sara Powell will next be seen in The Choice a new Netflix political thriller starring Suranne Jones as the recently elected British Prime Minister and Julie Delpy as the French president who meet at an international  summit and forced into a fierce rivalry.  Sara will play the regular role of Kathy McIntyre.   Michelle Bonnard has joined the revival of the classic detective series Maigret, Justin Avoth guests in Amazon Prime’s new biblical drama series House of David and Christopher Harper will be returning as Geoffrey in the BBC’s ever popular Call the Midwife.

In film news, Sophie Stone completed shooting this month on Ted Evans’ debut thriller feature film working title Reunion.  Co-produced by BBC Films, it features an all deaf principle cast with Sophie playing the lead role of Mia.  Agni Scott plays the supporting role of Myrto a war journalist in the feature film Maya and Samar which is shooting in Greece with Anita Doron directing. And Amy Cudden joins recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy in Steve, an original Netflix film adapted by Max Porter from his own novel telling the story of a day in the life of an unconventional residential school in the West Country.  

We can’t wait to watch!

Screen 2024

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All ‘guaranteed bangers’ according to The Guardian. Its Must See TV List for 2024 begins with a show that could not have caused more of a stir. Despite being one of the biggest miscarriages of justices in history, the British Post Office scandal in which nearly a thousand sub-postmasters were privately prosecuted for theft or fraud in error, has only now gained the public traction it deserves. Watch Amy Cudden as solicitor Izzy Hogg in Mr Bates vs The Post Office streaming now on ITVX. We finally get to see Masters of the Air; the Spielberg/Hanks second world war extravaganza featuring EBA clients Jakob Diehl, Benjamin Dilloway and Robert Hands which will be streaming on Apple TV from January 26th. Jakob Diehl can also be seen as the mysteriously titled Professor in Apple’s The New Look, a drama about how Christian Dior and Coco Chanel created modern fashion from the embers of the second world war, streaming in February. Russel T Davies is back in charge of Doctor Who and whilst we are sworn to secrecy, we can promise some spectacular drama featuring EBA clients in guest roles. Michelle Bonnard will be returning to House of the Dragon on Sky Atlantic in the summer as Madame Sylvie and in what is described as his biggest show yet, Joe Barton’s (Girl/Haji and The Lazarus Project ) new political thriller, Black Doves for Netflix will feature Thomas Coombes.

Other must see shows include James Doherty in Sexy Beast, a prequel series to Jonathan Glazer’s 2000 crime film of the same name, which is set to arrive on Paramount+, late January; Jodie McNee in Breathtaking, Jed Mercurio’s real time drama about being on the on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic on ITVX; Alex Blake in Joan, a new crime drama about notorious jewell thief Joan Hannington also for ITV X; Derek Hutchinson in The Way about a civil uprising that begins in Wales, written by James Graham and directed by Michael Sheen. Sophie Stone who has filmed the comedy horror series Generation Z for Channel 4 and finally Jake Cecil makes his professional debut as Gustave in Season 2 of Interview With A Vampire later this year.

In film news, Josie Walker stars in Kneecap opposite Michael Fassbender, directed by Rich Peppiatt which will receive its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on 18th January whilst Gavin Spokes will next be seen in upcoming thriller Cold Storage, directed by Jonny Campbell and expected to be on Studio Canal’s 2024 slate of releases. Happy New Year!

Autumn Screen

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We stand in support of the strike action. Those actors whose regular filming has been uninterrupted by the disputes include: Thomas Coombes who’s been shooting the new six-part drama Moonflower Murders directed by Rebecca Gatwood for Eleventh Hour Films/BBC and Masterpiece; Michelle Bonnard who’s filming Insomnia, an adaptation of Sarah Pinborough’s sleep deprivation novel for Left Bank Pictures with Börkur Sigthorsson directing; Jodie McNee joins The Gathering in Liverpool, a story of rivalry within the elite world of gymnastics from the creators of Line of Duty with Gareth Bryn directing; Olwen May films The Bay Season 5 as new regular DC McClaren;  Sophie Stone plays series regular Wendy in Generation Z for Forge and Channel 4, directed by Ben Wheatley and Alex Blake who has recently completed filming on Joan, a new six part series for ITV/ITVX based on the true story of notorious jewell thief Joan Hannington.

Sam Alexander in “Murder Retrial”

Guest roles include Amy Cudden in Mr Bates vs the Post Office a drama detailing the great miscarriage of justice around the postal workers; Jay Simpson in The Day of the Jackall, a TV remake of the classic film;  Daniel Crossley who is filming a six part TV series about Ayrton Senna for Netflix in Brazil; Gavin Spokes and Patrick Brennan who both appear in Out There, a new rural Welsh thriller for ITV led by Martin Clunes; Aidan Kelly who is completing shooting on forthcoming drama Say Nothing for FX focusing on the Troubles in NI. Sam Alexander also plays the lead role in a new drama commissioned by Channel 4, titled Murder Retrial, examining the British judicial system.

Premiering at the London Film Festival this October; Melanie Kilburn plays Mrs Forde in Starve Acre with Matt Smith starring and Daniel Kokotajilo directing and Josie Walker stars in writer-director Naqqash Khalid’s debut feature film In Camera.  Congratulations also to Lily Beau who played leading roles in  Y Swn and Y Goleudy which have both recently been nominated for a host of Welsh BAFTA Awards.

Other things to watch out for this Autumn include Jakob Diehl in Netflix blockbuster All the Light We Cannot See,  Gavin Spokes in the hugely popular Slow Horses, Sara Powell in Paramount Plus thriller The Killing Kind (streaming now), James Doherty in the highly anticipated TV remake of Sexy Beast and Jodie McNee in crime thriller Culprits for Disney Plus.

Spring shoots

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Film & TV

Andrew Koji shoots back to back feature films – SENECA with John Malkovich directed by Robert Schwentke and BOY KILLS WORLD with Bill Skarsgård, director Moritz Mohr. Jakob Diehl joins the cast of ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, Steven Knight’s adaptation of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize Winning novel directed by Shawn Levy for Netflix .

Thomas Coombes has been shooting STREET DOGS with director Jamie Payne also for Netflix and goes onto film RAIN DOGS , an original drama for HBO/BBC. Jodie McNee films CULPRITS for Disney and Hulu , an 8 part heist drama written and directed by J.Blakeson and Sara Powell films brand new psychological thriller THE WINTER CHILD with Dominic Le Clerc directing.

Gavin Spokes joins the regular cast of new drama series BETTER for Sister Pictures/BBC and Michelle Bonnard returns as Sal in UNFORGOTTEN 5. Carol Macready films the new season of STRIKE: TROUBLED BLOOD and Eugene O’Hare returns for Season 6 of OUTLANDER as Gov Josiah Martin. Melanie Kilburn joins Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark in STARVE ACRE for BBC Films whilst Aidan Kelly films US thriller JERICHO RIDGE with Will Gilbey directing.

Theatre

Greg Hicks will be seen in Daniel Fish’s Tony Award winning revival of OKLAHOMA which transfers to The Young Vic. Carol Macready joins Anne Marie Duff in the Almeida production of THE HOUSE OF SHADES directed by Blanche McIntyre. Olwen May leads the cast in The Manchester Royal Exchange’s production of ELECTRIC ROSARY by Bruntwood Prize winner Tim Foley and Anita Reynolds has been cast in the Old Vic production of A MONSTER CALLS .

Tom Edden, currently in New York with Jamie Lloyd’s award winning CYRANO returns to play in Chichester Festival’s revival of CRAZY FOR YOU directed by Broadway legend Susan Stroman. Sam Alexander will play Teddy in Bath Theatre Royals’ tour of Pinter’s THE HOMECOMING and Laura Rogers has been cast as Countess Andrenyi in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS opposite Henry Goodman as Hercule Poirot.

Christopher Harper will play the leading role of Professor Robert Langdon in THE DA VINCI CODE touring from May and Richard Teverson joins the cast of WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION playing at London County Hall. Look out too for Mariah Louca in Soho Theatre’s new musical THE MINISTRY OF LESBIAN AFFAIRS.

Spring Production News

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Screen

Oliver Dench begins filming Hotel Portofino a new Brits family drama set in Mussolini’s Italy of the 1920s. Jodie McNee joins the cast of Hollington Drive a new 4 part thriller for ITV written by Sophie Petzall. Michelle Bonnard is a new regular in the second season of We Hunt Together filming from next month whilst Josie Walker is cast as a series reg opposite Ben Whishaw in the much anticipated BBC adaptation of Adam Kay’s book This Is Going to Hurt.

The Chelsea Detective is a new 4 part series airing later this year with Sophie Stone playing series reg Ashley Wilton whilst Jason Callender joins the staff as a new teacher in the BBC’s reboot of the classic Mallory Towers.  Sally Scott is currently filming Dalgliesh a new 6 parter based on the PD James novels whilst Amy Cudden has been cast in new Speilberg/ Tom Hanks produced World War II drama Whirlwind.  

Guest roles this spring include Hayley Carmichael and John Mackay in Landscapers a new 4 part drama starring Olivia Colman, Guy Rhys in Ipcress Files the TV remake,  Hywel Morgan is a guest lead over 2 eps of Gentleman Jack playing William Briggs and Jimmy Walker plays the role of Ray Nelson in HBO Max’s adaptation of the bestselling novel The Girl Before. Natalie Radmall Quirke has been cast in Hulu’s upcoming adaption of Sally Rooney’s novel Conversations with Friends and Olwen May plays the main supporting role of Dora in A Very British Scandal: Duchess of Argyll written by Sarah Phelps starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany.  Joseph May joins the reboot of All Creatures Great & Small and Jude Monk McGowan films perennial favourite Call the Midwife.  

In other production news,  Warrior starring Andrew Koji has been recommissioned for a third season in moving over  to HBO Max and Eugene O’Hare joins the cast of Starz drama Outlander which has been commissioned for a 6th season.  

Theatre

As theatres slowly begin to reopen we’re delighted to be able to announce some casting news.  Scott Karim will appear at The Kiln Theatre in The Invisible Hand which Indhu Rubasingham directs in its first major revival. Colm Gormley is back at The Globe for their reopening summer season of As You Like It, The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Jordan Mifsúd and Dorothea Myer-Bennett return to The Orange Tree with Paul Miller’s ‘Shaw Shorts’ and Jack James Ryan makes his National Theatre debut in After Life written by Jack Thorne in a co-production with Headlong.  James Doherty is back in the West End in Come From Away Winner of 4 Olivier Awards including Best Musical which plays at the Phoenix Theatre from 22 July.  And following its West End success Home I’m Darling starts a UK Tour this summer with Sandy Foster playing the lead role of Judy. Daniel Crossley, meanwhile,  joins the cast of Talent written by Victoria Wood and playing at the Sheffield Crucible this summer.

Stage news

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Natasha Gordon’s hugely successful Nine Night which premiered at The National this spring transfers to The Trafalgar Studios from December. Natasha will take the role of Lorraine in the West-End transfer of her debut play for which she recently won the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright at The Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2018.

Gavin Spokes will play Harry in Marianne Elliot’s updated production of Company Stephen Sondheim’s musical comedy about life, love and marriage which will run at The Gielgud Theatre, West End from October. Tom Edden joins the Jamie Lloyd Company for Pinter at The Pinter, a season of one act plays in which he will perform Trouble in the Works, Night and Girls. Anita Reynolds joins the cast of ear for eye at The Royal Court Theatre with Debbie Tucker Green directing. Robert Hands will play Nick in the Tony Award Winning Come From Away directed by Christopher Ashley and premiering at The Abbey Theatre Dublin before transferring to the West End in January. Nicholas Lumley transfers to the Garrick, West End with the RSC’s Don Quixote with Angus Jackson directing with Richard Dempsey also joining the cast as Duke. Elsewhere graduate Patricia Allison will play Hermia in The Sheffield Crucible production of A Midsummer Nights Dream directed by Artistic Director Rob Hastie, Hayley Carmichael joins Les Bouffes du Nord’s production of The Prisoner directed by Peter Brook, Michelle Bonnard plays Darina in Iqbal Khan’s Tartuffe at The RSC, Sara Powell joins the cast of Adam Penford ‘s revival of The Madness Of George III with Mark Gatiss in the title role at Nottingham Playhouse.

Openings include Dan Rabin in the Chichester transfer of King Lear playing at the Duke of York’s Theatre and staring Ian Mckellen, Scott Karim joins the cast of The Village, Nadia Fall’s first production as artistic director at Theatre Royal Stratford East. Howard Ward, Sophie Stone and Clemmie Sveaas all join Michelle Terry’s inaugural season at Shakespeare’s Globe (in The Winter’s Tale & Eyam, Emilia and Othello. Jenna Augen and Peter McGovern, meanwhile, continue at the Criterion Theatre in the hit show The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Jason Callender continues in the West End company of The Play That Goes Wrong.

Currently filming:

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Jodie McNee plays Vivian and John Mackay plays Johnnie Ray in Judy, directed by Rupert Goold and with Renee Zellweger in the title role. Hayley Carmichael films the role of Anna in Mr Casanova with Benoit Jacquot and Stefan Kalipha films The Good Liar opposite Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen with Bill Condon directing.

On TV, Andrew Koji continues filming Warrior for HBO, Jay Simpson plays regular Perevozchenko in HBO/Sky collaboration Chernobyl about the 1986 Soviet disaster with Alex Blake and Daniel Crossley also playing guest roles across the 10 part series and Johan Renck as lead director. Jodie McNee returns as Willa in the second series of Britannia, joined this season by Joe Sims who plays Euan with Luke Watson directing. Also for Sky, Oliver Dench and Tafline Steen play regulars Sam and Leigh in Nyela’s Dream a 25 part teen comedy drama exec produced by Foz Allan. Hayley Carmichael, Anton Saunders and Patricia Allison join the cast of the BBC’s Les Misérables, Tom Shankland directing whilst Stephen Kennedy and Sarah Malin film Dark Heart for ITV based on the Will Wagstaff novels and adapted by Chris Lang. Unforgotten, also written by Chris Lang, sees Sara Powell and Michelle Bonnard join the cast for Season 3 , both characters featuring across the series and Howard Ward shoots Manhunt also for ITV, which details the pursuit of serial killer Levi Bellfield. Joseph May plays regular TJ in Living the Dream for Big Talk/Sky, Kriss Dosanjh is Moeen in Ackley Bridge for Channel 4, whilst James Doherty can be seen in The Windsors Wedding Special next month celebrating Harry and Meghan’s nuptials. Guest roles include Howard Ward as Kastor Breakspear in Carnival Row for Amazon, Alex Blake in Mrs Wilson for Brontë Film & TV, Richard Laxton directing and Max Fowler as Colin in The Affair (Season 4) , Showtime, Director Rodrigo Garcia.

Summer stage

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Lisa Palfrey plays Big Mamma in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for the Young Vic at the Apollo Theatre, West End with Benedict Andrews directing. The Broadway hit Oslo opens at the National’s Lyttleton Theatre before transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre, West End; Geraldine Alexander and Howard Ward join the London cast with director Bartlett Sher.
Gavin Spokes returns to The Almeida over the summer in Against, Christopher Shinn’s new play with Ian Rickson directing whilst Queen Ann opens at The Haymarket, West End for the RSC with Hywel Morgan reprising his role as Prince George. Andrew Koji is at Regents Park for A Tale of Two Cities directed by Tim Shearer whilst Graham Turner opens in Dessert a new play premiering at Southwark Playhouse which Trevor Nunn directs.
In Bath, Sam Alexander and Michelle Bonnard both join Jonathan Church’s revival of Racing Demon whilst in Manchester Natasha Gordon performs What If Women Ruled the World as part of the festival with Vicky Featherstone directing. Also in Manchester, new graduate Patricia Allison makes her professional stage debut in Our Town with Sarah Frankcom as director.
The Ferryman receives its West End opening with Eugene O’Hare in the cast, The Committee opens at The Donmar with Robert Hands, Jodie McNee and Sarah Malin continue in the astounding Anatomy of a Suicide at The Royal Court whilst David Seadon Young joins Rachel Kavanaugh for Oklahoma at The Royal Albert Hall as part of this years BBC Proms season.

TV News

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Pooky Quesnel joins the cast of BBC satire W1A as regular Fiona Craig, Thomas Coombes will play regular Michael “Goz” Gozdecki in GONE a new psychological thriller from World Productions written by and starring Lennie James, Michelle Bonnard plays Hazel
Furley in The Strike Series: Career of Evil, the third instalment of the detective series based on the best selling J.K Rowling trilogy and then goes onto film Ray & Liz the first feature by Turner Prize nominated photographer, Richard Billingham. Daniel Coonan takes on the role of murdered detective Alex Butler in the BBC’s new pre-apocalyptic crime drama Hard Sun a 6 part series by ‘Luther’ creator Neil Cross, Lochlann O’Mearáin begins the year in Prague filming Fox21’s new drama Genius: Einstein and Kriss Dosanjh films The Indian Detective on location in Cape Town. Emma Handy films Doctor Who and Trust Me a new 4 parter from Red Productions for the BBC and look out too for Chris Harper who arrived in Coronation Street Christmas Day and is set to embark on a rather dark affair.