BAFTA Rising Star winner Mia McKenna-Bruce has joined the cast of The Species, a new drama directed by Justin Chadwick (Mandela, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Bleak House).
“How to How Sex” recently garnered attention for “The Lady” and will also appear in the upcoming “The Beatles – Four Movie Film Event”, with Anthony Hopkins, Charlotte Rampling and Tom Hollander joining the feature film, which will be sold internationally by Hanway Films in Cannes.
“The Species” follows the death of famous naturalist Charles Darwin (Hopkins), and newly widowed Emma Darwin (Rampling), who finds herself embroiled in a conflict with Charles’ son George and pushy publisher Marshall Winwick (Hollander) over Charles’ autobiography. It poses a challenge to her faith. Will publishing her near-heretical atheist husband’s writings jeopardize his safe passage into heaven and the chance of being reunited in the afterlife? McKenna-Bruce plays Jane, a maid at the Darwin mansion.
The script was written by Jacob Killion and directed by award-winning British theater, television and film director Chadwick. Chadwick’s recent TV credits include being the lead director on Disney+’s ‘Shardlake’, as well as directing roles on Starz’s ‘Becoming Elizabeth’, Sky’s ‘Tin Star’ and ITV’s ‘Next of Kin’. Visual collaborators are Oscar-nominated photographer and filmmaker Evgenia Arbugaeva (How Out). The score is by Lorne Balfe (Mission: Impossible – Fallout, The Crown, Top Gun: Maverick). Casting by Ade Velasco.
“Mia is the perfect addition to this most distinguished cast,” said Gabriel Stewart, CEO of Hanway Films. “She brings a fresh, youthful authenticity to the roles she plays, and How to Have Sex has established her as a hugely exciting talent to come out of the UK.”
The film is produced by Christian Taylor (Taylor Lane Productions) and Mary Aloe (Aloe Entertainment). Co-produced by Rich Bolger of Hail Mary Pictures, with support from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland. The UK co-producer is Wildcard’s Patrick O’Neill. Executive producers include Charlotte Dauphin and Tom Heller of Dauphin Films, and Steve Alexander and Idilia Hachi of AHA Productions.
“The Species” already has several major distribution companies, including France’s KMBO. Wild Bunch from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Nos Lusomundo, Portugal. MCF Megacom in the former Yugoslavia. Front row seats in the MENA region. Bir Film in Türkiye. Greek film group. and the Singapore Show Organization.
Mia McKenna-Bruce is represented by 42, CAA, Luver Loughlin, and JTWAMM. Anthony Hopkins is repped by UTA and Goodman & Genow. Charlotte Rampling is the principal of Diamond Management. Tom Hollander is repped by CAA, United Agents, and Anonymous Content. Justin Chadwick is repped by UTA and Independent Talent Group.
