News

Prime Video is not proceeding with a second season of drama series Riches. Series creator/executive producer Abby Ajayi on Friday shared the news of the show’s end on Instagram.

“This time last year we launched,” she wrote, referring to the Riches Dec. 2, 2022 premiere on Prime Video. “Much love to this incredible ensemble of actors and our fabulous crew. Thank you to everyone who supported. So proud we got to make this show.”

Ajayi went on to tease the second season she had prepped, as evident by the Reaches 2 notebook in one of the photo accompanying the post.

“I still had many more stories to tell… And, it was gonna be...

‘Bardot’ Series Sells After Netflix Launch

Bardot, the French series about the younger years of film star Brigitte Bardot, has sold into a raft of international territories soon after its recent launch on Netflix. The Danièle Thompson and Christopher Thompson series debuted on Netflix in several European territories on August 23, having taken strong ratings on France 2 back in May. Federation Studios, which produces and sells the show, has shopped to AMC Iberia in Spain, Tvp in Poland, Nova in Greece, Mtva in Hungary, Rtvs in Slovaquia, Ltv and Tet+ in Latvia, Err in Estonia and Finch Media, which distributes content in Eastern Europe. Netflix was among a tranche of buyers who had previous bought it, though no U.S. or UK buyer has emerged yet. Federation said negotiations were planned in further European and English-speaking territories. Bardot is set to get a U.S. festival debut at the American French...

Further producers include Nikki Parrott and Tom Wood.

Twelve UK producers including Damian Jones, Emily Morgan, Nikki Parrott and Tom Wood are heading to Paris later this month for a series of co-production meetings arranged through a partnership between the British Film Institute (BFI) and France’s national film centre, the Cnc.

The meetings will take place from April 20-21.

Scroll down for the full list of participants

“After a successful trip of French producers to the BFI London Film Festival (Lff) last October organised by the BFI with Institut francais in the UK and Unifrance, the BFI is delighted...

Breathing fresh life into the rom-com genre, Raine Allen Miller’s Rye Lane is a delight. Premiering at Sundance, it pays affectionate tribute to its forebears while injecting a youthful British energy reminiscent of seminal TV shows such as Skins. This is a sunny, irreverent take on life and love, following two strangers over the course of one eventful day, and more — though it’s at its most exhilarating when playing out in real time, Before Sunrise-style.

Related: Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Winners Through The Years – Photo Gallery

The opening scenes capture the culture clashes and archetypes of contemporary South London — or Peckham, to be precise, which is home to the titular Rye Lane. Flitting between the cubicles in a unisex bar toilet, the aerial camera shows a young man being beaten up, a parent changing a baby’s nappy, teens taking selfies, girlfriends drinking and vomiting.

Eva Yates has been appointed Director of BBC Film.

The assumed front-runner for the job, Yates will be responsible for the development and production of films backed by the broadcaster.

Yates, who replaces Rose Garnett who is leaving to join A24, will also oversee Storyville, the BBC’s documentary films strand led by Philippa Kowarsky.

Yates is currently Acting Director of BBC Film and joined the broadcaster in 2017. As a BBC commissioner and executive producer, she has commissioned more than 30 features, most recently Aleem Khan’s BAFTA winner After Love; Blue Story by Andrew Rapman Onwubolu; Remi Weekes’s BAFTA winner His House; and Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun which will premiere in Cannes Critics Week 2022.

Prior to joining the BBC, she worked for eight years as an executive at Film4, where she executive-produced movies including Rungano Nyoni’s BAFTA winner I Am Not A Witch, which premiered in Directors’ Fortnight and...

Eva Yates has been promoted to the high profile role of director of BBC Film, a position previously held by Rose Garnett, who has moved on to indie studio A24.

Yates, who is currently acting director of BBC Film, will be responsible for the development and production of the 12-15 films the company produces every year. She will also oversee Storyville, the BBC’s flagship feature documentary strand, under the new leadership of Philippa Kowarsky.

Yates joined the BBC in 2017. As a BBC commissioner and executive producer, she has commissioned over 30 feature films, most recently Aleem Khan’s six-time BIFA and BAFTA winning and Cannes selected “After Love.” Previously, Yates worked for eight years as an executive at Film4, where she executive produced Rungano Nyoni’s Cannes Directors’ Fortnight selection “I Am Not A Witch,” which won the BAFTA for outstanding British debut and “Been So Long,” starring Michaela Coel.

Major role in UK film ecosystem is responsible for £11m yearly budget.

Eva Yates has been confirmed as the new director of BBC Film, taking on one of the major roles in the independent UK film ecosystem.

Yates has been acting director at the development and production body since the departure of Rose Garnett to join US firm A24, announced in early March this year. She will start immediately as director, and will be in Cannes.

Yates will oversee BBC Film’s £11m annual budget for development and production, which goes towards 12 to 15 films a year. Also under her remit is the Storyville documentary strand,...

Amazon Studios has boarded ITV’s forthcoming Succession-like drama Riches, with Them’s Deborah Ayorinde and Stephen’s Hugh Quarshie joining the cast as production kicks off in London.

The show from How To Get Away With Murder writer Abby Ajayi will premiere on Amazon Prime in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics and Sub-Saharan Africa. Amazon and ITV previously tied on Kate Beckinsale drama The Widow.

Joining Ayorinde and Quarshie are Ted Lasso’s Sarah Niles, Downton Abbey’s Brendan Coyle and Luther’s Hermione Norris, along with Adeyinka Akinrinade, Ola Orebiyi, C.J. Beckford Nneka Okoye and Emmanuel Imani.

Revealed exclusively by Deadline a year ago, Riches, which spans New York and London, comes from Been So Long producer Greenacre Films in association...

Exclusive: Multi-award winning I May Destroy You and Chewing Gum creator Michaela Coel has signed with UTA in the U.S. The agency will represent the multi-hyphenate in all areas. In the UK, she will continue to be represented by Conor McCaughan and Michael Duff.

Coel was previously with CAA but the writer and performer left the agency after she said it “tried to push her” to strike a deal with Netflix for her semi-autobiographical series I May Destroy You.

Coel famously rejected Netflix’s multimillion-dollar offer due to the streamer refusing to budge on requiring a portion of back-end rights in return. The show was instead greenlit by the BBC and HBO, and brought the London-born star critical acclaim and global fame. The series scored nine Emmy nominations, with Coel winning for writing.

She is currently starring in Marvel feature Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and is in the middle of writing another BBC show,...

The growing cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has added I May Destroy You actress Michaela Coel to its roster. As expected, Marvel has not released any character details as yet, as with such information usually being held under more security than the Asgard Vaults, we will only find out when Marvel are ready. It is believed that Coel has been with director Ryan Coogler at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, where the production began in June.

Michaela Coel is known for her 2020 series I May Destroy You, which won critical acclaim and earned the star four Emmy nominations thanks to her writing, directing producing and starring in the drama. The strong drama focused on a writer attempting to live with the trauma of rape, and was praised by both audiences and critics, and the list of award nominations speaks for itself when it comes to the quality of her work...

‘I May Destroy You’ actress Michaela Coel has reportedly signed up to star in Ryan Coogler’s ‘Black Panther’ sequel, ‘Wakanda Forever.’

As for now, any character details are being kept under lock and key.

Although casting has yet to be confirmed, it is expected that Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, Florence Kasumba and Angela Bassett will reprise their roles from the original.

Coogler has penned the script for the sequel to 2018’s hugely successful comic book adaptation.

Also in news – George MacKay to star in first title from UK slate of films from Netflix ‘I Came By’

Filming began on the follow-up in June in Atlanta, Marvel boss Kevin Feige said that filming was “clearly very emotional without” lead Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in 2020. In March, Coogler said that working on the project without Boseman was “the hardest thing I’ve ever had...

“I May Destroy You” star Michaela Coel has joined the cast of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the sequel to Marvel’s “Black Panther,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Coel has joined the cast and crew of Ryan Coogler’s film in Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios, which has been filming for the past month. Details of Coel’s character are being kept under wraps.

Marvel Studios declined to comment.

Coel broke out in a big way this year and landed three Emmy nominations for her HBO Max series “I May Destroy You,” which was critically acclaimed as one of the best shows of 2020.

“Black Panther” from 2018 made $1.3 billion worldwide at the box office. Disney has set a release date of July 8, 2022, for the “Wakanda Forever” sequel.

As Marvel Studios has said, they will not recast the character of T’Challa, in order to honor star Chadwick Boseman...

Michaela Coel has joined the ensemble cast of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the sequel to the hit Marvel film “Black Panther.”

Character details are locked up, per usual. Insiders say Coel has joined director Ryan Coogler at Atlanta’s Pinewood Studios, where production began last month. Marvel Studios declined to comment on the matter.

Coel exploded onto Hollywood’s radar in 2020 with her critically acclaimed HBO Max series “I May Destroy You,” for which she’s received four Emmy nominations. In addition to writing, directing and producing, Coel starred in the show as a popular writer processing rape trauma in contemporary London.

Coel’s credits include the Netflix programs “Black Mirror” and “Chewing Gum,” and the feature films “Been So Long” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” She is not currently represented by a talent agency. She works through her indie label Falkna Productions, which co-produced “I May Destroy You.

Chloe Tai, Edward Parodi, Anisha Kasozi and Léo Teste take on new roles.

Film Constellation has promoted four staff to executive level, in a change to the leadership structure at the UK-based production, finance and sales firm.

Chloe Tai becomes director of marketing, general manager, with broadened management responsibilities and a focus on team leadership and corporate impact work. Based in London, Tai will report directly to Film Constellation founder and CEO Fabien Westerhoff, who is based in Amsterdam.

Tai joined Film Constellation in 2017 following a career in marketing at L’Oreal, and has since worked on international distribution campaigns for...

This year’s Cannes Film Festival lineup may yet again be thin on British movies but UK public financiers the BFI, Film4 and BBC Film have joined with the British Council to launch the fourth edition of their ‘Great 8’ program, which will showcase emerging Brit filmmakers to international distributors and fest programmers. Scroll down for the full list.

In previous years, the ‘Great 8’ was launched during the physical Cannes festival but this year the event will be streamed on June 17 in advance of the Cannes virtual market at the end of the month. Buyers and festival programmers will have exclusive access to unseen footage from each of the titles, which will be introduced by their filmmakers and made available across five different time zones.

All titles are now in post-production and are available to buyers during the online Cannes Marché, which takes place June 21-25. Movies selected in previous years...

Exclusive: ITV has commissioned Greenacre Films, the producer behind Michaela Coel’s Netflix feature Been So Long, to make a six-part series about a wealthy family forced to confront its past and future after a terrible event.

How To Get Away With Murder writer Abby Ajayi will pen Riches, a series that spans New York and London, and spotlights a Black British family, its ambitions and response to tragedy.

Self-made Stephen Richards has built a cosmetics empire and become a powerful advocate for Black-owned business, but when he suffers a stroke, his family’s secrets and lies rise to the surface and the future of his multi-million-pound company is at stake.

Stephen abandoned his first wife and two older children, settling down with a younger woman and having another three children. His stroke forces his two worlds to collide, with his two older children learning of their father’s illness...

Paapa Essiedu, one of the breakout stars of BBC/HBO’s I May Destroy You, and Gangs Of London actor Joe Cole have joined the cast of ITV’s Black Lives Matter-inspired drama shorts series Unsaid Stories….

Deadline last week revealed the four-part anthology series, which will be made by Greenacre Films, the producer behind Netflix’s Michaela Coel-fronted feature Been So Long.

Essiedu and Pippa Bennett-Warner (Maxxx) will feature in Lynette Linton’s Look At Me, which focuses on the lives of a young professional couple in the aftermath of them being stopped by police while out driving on a date.

Cole and Adelayo Adedayo (The Capture) lead the cast for Anna Ssemuyaba’s I Don’t Want To Talk About This, which tells the story of a former couple who bump into each other at a friend’s party a few years after their split.

Nicholas Pinnock...

Exclusive: ITV has commissioned a series of four drama shorts, working titled Unsaid Stories…, which have been inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.

In an anthology format not dissimilar to the Jeff Pope-produced Isolation Stories that ITV aired during the coronavirus lockdown, Greenacre Films — the producer behind Netflix’s Michaela Coel-fronted feature Been So Long — will make the 15-minute episodes to be broadcast next month.

Each episode has diverse talent at its heart and ITV head of drama Polly Hill said they are “unique, fresh and engaging” stories about “real people in completely real situations, confronting and exploring racism and prejudice.”

Jerome Bucchan-Nelson, a writer on Sky hit drama Bulletproof, will pen Generational. It explores the relationship between a Black father and his teenage daughter, when William catches Justina sneaking out to attend a Black Lives Matter demonstration. Alrick Riley (NCIS) is the director, while Barbara Emile (EastEnders) is producing.

Michaela Coel’s breakout success in the U.S. is largely credited to Netflix. The streamer was the domestic distributor of her acclaimed comedy series “Chewing Gum,” for which Coel won a BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Program, and she later appeared in an Emmy-winning episode of “Black Mirror” and fronted the 2018 Netflix musical film “Been So Long.” Netflix also released the Coel-starring drama series “Black Earth Rising” outside the United Kingdom in 2019. Coel’s history with Netflix made the streamer a natural destination for her latest project, “I May Destroy You,” but the creator walked away from a mega-deal in order to maintain ownership of the series.

In a new profile published by Vulture, Coel reveals that Netflix made her an offer for “I May Destroy You” in spring 2017 worth $1 million. The series is based off Coel’s personal experience of being sexually assaulted during the making of “Chewing Gum.

It's been five years since Michaela Coel landed on our radar with her offbeat comedy Chewing Gum. Since then, Coel has popped up on TV, a movie musical (Been So Long), and, briefly, in a major movie franchise (Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi). Coel returns back to television in a major way with the confrontational, crackling, and very timely HBO drama I May Destroy You. I May Destroy You marks Coel's second TV outing where she is wearing numerous hats. This time around, those hats are: Creator, executive producer, writer, and …...

After dazzling audiences’ with the raunchy Brit comedy “Chewing Gum” in 2015, British actress and writer Michaela Coel is back with an HBO series seeking to navigate the topical waters of sexual consent.

As the HBO synopsis states:

More from IndieWireHBO's 'Bad Education' Is an Unexpected Evisceration of Our Broken School SystemEmmy Contenders to Watch and Where to Stream Them: Limited Series

Arabella Essiuedu (Coel) — easily distracted, non-committal, and carefree — finds herself feted as the ‘voice of her generation,’ with an agent, a book commission and a helluva lot of pressure. After being sexually assaulted in a nightclub, her life changes irreversibly and Arabella is forced to reassess everything: her career, her friends, even her family. As Arabella struggles to come to terms with what has happened, she begins a journey of self-discovery.

The first trailer, released today, presents Arabella’s world as one filled with drinking and partying...

Amazon has snapped up North American rights to an Emily Blunt-fronted western from the BBC, Variety has learned.

The streaming giant is understood to have boarded “The English,” which has attached the “Quiet Place” actor as its lead. The multi-part series is produced by “Doctor Foster” firm Drama Republic, whose credits include BBC Two and SundanceTV spy thriller “The Honorable Woman,” as well as Netflix and BBC Two co-production “Black Earth Rising.”

The series is the latest from writer-director Hugo Blick, who broke out with “Honorable Woman” in 2014. The Golden Globe and Peabody-winning drama was one of the first high-end shows to feature actors traditionally seen in film crossing over into the TV space, and featured Maggie Gyllenhaal as a woman who inherits her family’s arms business and becomes mired in a volatile political situation in the Middle East.

Blick’s follow-up, “Black Earth Rising,” aired in 2018, and...

Werner Herzog’s ’Family Romance LLC’, his first Japanese-language film, is to be released in the UK by Modern Films.

London-based production, finance and sales outfit Film Constellation has secured UK deals on three of its titles screening at this year’s BFI London Film Festival.

Firstly, German auteur Werner Herzog’s Family Romance LLC, his first Japanese-language film, is to be released in the UK by Modern Films. The film premiered as a special screening at Cannes.

Rashaad Ernesto Green’s second feature, Premature, which premiered at Sundance, will be distributed by Signature Entertainment. It stars Zora Howard, who also co-wrote the script.

Exclusive: Marsha Stephanie Blake and Arinzé Kene have joined Julia Hart’s Amazon feature I’m Your Woman opposite Rachel Brosnahan.

Hart co-wrote the project with her husband, Oscar-nominated producer Jordan Horowitz, who is also producing through their Original Headquarters production company. The story revolves around Jean (Brosnahan) who must go on the run with her child due to her husband’s crimes. Their lives become intertwined with a man and a woman, forming an unlikely partnership that teaches them more than just how to survive. Production is slated to begin this season. Deadline exclusively broke the news about the project. Blake will play the role of Teri, and Kene the part of Cal.

Blake recently received her first Emmy nomination in the supporting actress limited series category for Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series When They See Us, which counts 16 Primetime noms. Blake starred in three films which premiered at...

For the third year, the UK’s three leading financiers, the BFI, BBC Films and Film4, in collaboration with the British Council and the UK government’s ‘Great’ campaign, will be showcasing up-and-coming UK talent in Cannes via the ‘Great 8’ program. Scroll down for the lineup.

Highlighted on Tuesday May 14 during a private reception at the Hotel Gray d’Albion, the event will reveal unseen footage from eight UK projects in post-production. These are relatively low-budget UK movies in the Cannes marché with breakout festival, commercial or critical potential. Guests will comprise international buyers and festival programmers.

Movies selected in recent years include Michaela Coel musical Been So Long, which was nabbed by Netflix in a multi-million dollar deal soon after the festival, Michael Pearce drama Beast, which went on to play at festivals including Toronto, London and Sundance, and Brian Welsh’s Beats.

Great 8, 2019 Lineup

Calm With Horses

UK...

Exclusive: Greenacre Films, the British drama production company behind Netflix’s Michaela Coel-fronted musical Been So Long, is bolstering its TV slate and has set a raft of new projects including the adaptation of Mumbai-set novels The Space Between Us and The Secrets Between Us.

The company, run by Amanda Jenks, exec producer of HBO and BBC’s Sienna Miller-fronted Tippi Hedren biopic The Girl, and Nadine Marsh-Edwards, who worked on John Hurt’s An Englishman In New York, spoke to Deadline for the first of a number of profiles of the leading UK-based drama firms that are working with one eye on the U.S. and the rest of the world.

They have just come off the back of Been So Long, which was the largest single acquisition of a British film by Netflix. The musical, which was written by Che Walker and directed by Tinge Krishnan,...

Greenacre Films, the producer behind Netflix original film “Been So Long,” has inked a first-look deal with Banijay. The U.K. indie has several projects in development with British broadcasters and wants to break into the U.S. scripted market. Under the terms of its first-look deal with Banijay, the company’s distribution arm, Banijay Rights, will take its TV shows out internationally.

Greenacre Films was established by Nadine Marsh-Edwards and Amanda Jenks. Their feature film, “Been So Long,” starring Michaela Coel (“Black Earth Rising”) and Arinze Kene (“Misty”), premiered at the London Film Festival in 2018. Netflix acquired the picture and has launched it globally as an original.

“Now feels like an exciting time to be embracing this new venture and expanding on our slate of distinctive shows,” Marsh-Edwards said. “Banijay understands the ethos of our company and we’re delighted to be working with them.”

“Nadine and I share...

Greenacre Films, the producer of Netflix’s feature film Been So Long, has struck a first-look television deal with international distributor Banijay Rights.

The indie, which was set up by Amanda Jenks, who produced HBO and BBC co-pro The Girl, and Nadine Marsh-Edwards, producer of Gurinder Chadha’s Bhaji on the Beach, is looking to develop and produces scripted series for the UK, U.S. and international markets.

It is particularly eyeing a push into the U.S. scripted market after scoring a number of projects in paid development with UK broadcasters.

Banijay hopes the deal will expand its English-language scripted library; it currently represents dramas including French period drama Versailles and Israeli vampire comedy Juda.

Marsh-Edwards said, “Now feels like an exciting time to be embracing this new venture and expanding on our slate of distinctive shows, Banijay understands the ethos of our company and we’re delighted to be working with them.

Banijay Rights, the distribution arm of the Banijay Group TV giant, has signed a multi-year first-look development deal with U.K. independent production banner Greenacre Films.

The agreement will see Banijay Rights and Greenacre working together to develop and produce TV series for U.K., U.S. and international markets.

Greenacre was established by award-winning producers and development executives Nadine Marsh-Edwards (Joe All Alone, Akala: Ruins of Empires, Bhaji on the Beach, Young Soul Rebels, Sea Oo Souls) and Amanda Jenks (The Girl, An Englishman in New York, The Widower, Akala’s Odyssey). Their recent critically acclaimed feature film Been So Long, starring Michaela Coel (Black Earth Rising) ...

Iffr panel discuss the need for diverse voices and adversity to risk.

At yesterday’s Reality Check conference at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr), two panels of film professionals discussed how their careers are changing as the business undergoes radical change.

Moderator Wendy Mitchell / Akua Gyamfi / Nanouk Leopold

Speaking on the day’s first panel, which focused on the increasing popularity of “new” stories, and how these original ideas were unearthing new audiences, Akua Gyamfi took the opportunity to highlight how the industry is now waking up to the benefits of promoting diverse voices.

Gyamfi is the founder of the British Blacklist,...

Each year the European Film Promotion highlight the work of ten of the most promising rising talents from around the continent. Their ‘Shooting Stars’ for 2019 have been revealed and we’re very pleased to premiere the trailer for the ten actors, showcasing some of their recent work. Their achievement will be honoured at the Berlin Film Festival next month, where we will sit down each of them to talk about their career so far, and their plans for the future.

Last year we spoke to the 2018 Shooting Stars, some of whom have come to the fore in the last twelve months. If you’ve seen Rain on Netflix then you’ll know the name Alba August, whom we spoke to before the series had hit our screens. Michaela Coel has become a regular on the red carpet across the world, with her Netflix film Been So Long and many more.

The 2018 British Independent Film Awards (The BIFAs) took place at Old Billingsgate in London this evening with The Favourite living up to its name and taking home 10 awards including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz.

Disobedience’s Alessandro Nivola took home Best Supporting Actor while Peaky Blinders’ Joe Cole won Best Actor for A Prayer Before Dawn. American Animals and You Were Never Really Here were winners and won two awards apiece and we said hello to Star Trek Discovery’s Jason Isaacs, Bart Layton, Joe Cole, Black Mirror & Been So Long’s Michaela Coel, The Happy Prince’s Rupert Everett, Yann Demange, Barry Keoghan and Bart Layton on the red carpet.

Attending the event were Emma Stone, Yorgos Lathinmos, Michael Pearce, Lynne Ramsay, Gemma Arterton, Steve Coogan, Jessie Buckley, Maxine Peake, Rachel McAdams, Charlie Plummer, Joaquin Phoenix, Dominic West, Evan Peters, Karen Gillan,...

“The Favourite” proved to be just that at the 2018 British Independent Film Awards, winning a whopping 10 categories including Best Picture. Coming into the evening with a lucky 13 nominations, it lost just two races: Best Film Editing to “American Animals” and Best Sound to “You Were Never Really Here,” which also took home the prize for Best Music. “The Favourite” had two nominees in Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz won over, among others, co-star Emma Stone. (Scroll down to see the complete list of winners and read the full report on the BIFAs)

To be eligible for consideration, films had to be intended for theatrical release, produced or co-produced by a British company and have budgets of under 10 million pounds. This year’s ceremony took place at the Old Billingsgate market.

Discuss All the Oscar contenders with Hollywood insiders in our notorious forums

Best Picture

“American Animals”

“Beast”

“Disobedience”

X – “The...

You’ve probably heard of the likes of Patty Jenkins and Ava DuVernay. You’ve almost certainly heard of Kathryn Bigelow and Lynne Ramsay. But what other female directors come to mind when asked whose work you enjoy? Many brilliant women are out there making great films but few have become the huge recognisable names they deserve to be.

It’s time to delve a little deeper and have a look at (just some of) the very talented women making great work behind the camera.

Debra Granik

Winter’s Bone might be known as the film that launched Jennifer Lawrence’s career, but the subtlety and dark undertones of the film are a credit to director Debra Granik’s skills – skills which are plain to see again in her latest offering, the stunning Leave No Trace. She gets to the very core of people and explores their humanity and traumas...

“Back to Life,” a new comedy from the producers of “Fleabag,” has set its cast and entered production. Daisy Haggard co-wrote the series and plays the lead character, Miri Mattheson, an ex-con returning to her seaside hometown after 18 years in prison. Geraldine James (“Sherlock Holmes”) and Richard Durden (“Harlots”) will play Miri’s parents as she readjusts to life on the outside.

They appear alongside a roster of British talent in the series for online network BBC Three, including Adeel Akhtar (“Murdered by My Father”), who plays Miri’s neighbor, and Jamie Michie (“Game of Thrones”), who plays her first love.

All3Media-baked Two Brothers Pictures, the hot British shingle behind shows including “Fleabag” and “Rellik,” is on production duty. Liam Williams (“Pls Like”), Souad Faress (“Bridget Jones’s Baby”), Jo Martin (“Been So Long”), Christine Bottomley (“The End of the F***ing World”) and Frank Feys (“A Perfect Day...

Ejiofor’s directorial debut is set in Malawi.

Netflix has picked up global rights, excluding China, Japan, and UK free-tv, to Chiwetel Ejiofor’s directorial debut The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind.

The Malawi-set film stars Maxwell Simba as a 13 year-old boy who can’t afford to go to school but dreams of building a windmill to save his village from famine. Ejiofor plays his father and also adapted the screenplay, which is based on the book of the same name by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer.

The film is produced by Andrea Calderwood and Gail Egan of the UK’s Potboiler Productions,...

Nominations for the 21st British Independent Film Awards were announced on Oct. 31 in London. To be eligible for consideration, a film must be intended for theatrical release, produced or co-produced by a British company and have a budget of under 10 million pounds. This year’s contenders are led by “The Favourite” with a lucky 13 nominations followed by “American Animals” with 11, “Beast” with 10 and ““You Were Never Really Here” with eight. All four of these compete for Best British Independent Film as does “Disobedience.” (Scroll down to see the complete list of nominations)

Because “The Favourite” counts both British and American companies among its producers, it was also eligible for the Gotham Awards where it reaped three bids. While those kudos are honoring the cast as a whole, the BIFAs singled out leading lady Olivia Colman and supporting players Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz for nominations. Weisz also earned a Best...

Yorgos Lamthimos’ twisted period piece “The Favourite” led all films in nominations for the British Independent Film Awards (Bifa), which were announced on Wednesday in London.

The black comedy, which stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz in a tale of 18th century palace intrigue in England, was nominated in 13 categories, two shy of the record set last year by “Lady Macbeth.”

Its nominations come on the heels of three nominations and one award at the Gotham Independent Film Awards, which means that the film from a Greek director has been accepted as an American independent film by one awards body and as a British indie by another.

Also Read: 'The Favourite' Film Review: Emma Stone Plays an 18th Century Eve Harrington in a Twisted Historical Farce

Bart Layton’s “American Animals” was runner-up with 11 nominations, while Michael Pearce’s “Beast” received 10 and Lynne Ramsay’s “You Were Never Really Here...

Yorgos Lanthimos’ acclaimed period drama “The Favourite,” and Bart Layton’s heist movie “American Animals,” have landed the most British Independent Film Award nominations this year, with 13 and 11 apiece. “You Were Never Really Here” also put in a strong showing with 8 noms.

Bifa has made strides to ensure its voters for its awards are mindful of their influences and this year instigated a BFI-backed unconscious bias program for its voting members, juries, committees, and board.

In a record year for female representation – over 40% of nominations in the individual categories are women – Olivia Colman is nominated for best actress for her role as Queen Anne in “The Favourite.” Her co-stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are both up for best supporting actress. The latter also landed a best actress nom for her performance in “Disobedience.”

“The Favourite” also puts in an impressive performance in the technical categories and is nominated...

Been So Long is a new Netflix original movie but one thing that makes this film different from most other originals is the fact that it is a musical. Based on the stage musical by the same name, this film follows a single mother who struggles to be a good example for her daughter while trying to find love in the imperfect world.

Does the fact that this is a musical make this Netflix original a solid addition to the streaming service’s mediocre library? Or does it stand above the rest?

Watch the 60-second review from One Minute Critic:

You can check out more 1-minute reviews on One Minute Critic's Instagram or Youtube page.

Michaela Coel plays a character called Simone in Tinge Krishnan’s neon-bright urban musical “Been So Long” — and whether that’s coincidental, or intended to humor internet fan calls for the up-and-comer to headline a Nina Simone biopic, the message gets across anyway. Not that there’s anything Simone-like about the blend of perky showtunes and steamy soul that scores this slender but wholehearted romance between two weathered souls in diverse North London: It’s the ferocity of Coel’s star power, bigger and tougher than the amiable film around her, that makes the point on its own. As a showcase for her and the silky charms of leading man Arinzé Kene, this Netflix-distributed diversion works quite cheerfully; as a screen musical, it’s less satisfying, with less-than-memorable songs never quite bridging its leaps from everyday realism to romantic fantasy.

For Krishnan, “Been So Long” is an ambitious sophomore...

Netflix’s “Been So Long” will receive a U.K. theatrical release as part of Birds’ Eye View’s Reclaim the Frame program. The film’s 10-theater tour kicks off with a special screening in London on Oct. 22, followed by a Q&A with director Tinge Krishnan, star Michaela Coel and other members of the cast and crew. It then tours the U.K. until mid-November; it launches globally on Netflix on Oct. 26.

Reclaim the Frame, which is supported by the British Film Institute’s Audience Fund, seeks to “grow the audience’s appetite for female-led films in the U.K.,” Birds’ Eye View said in a statement. It started as a pilot program, supporting four films in five cities over the summer. With the support of the BFI, Birds’ Eye View is extending the program for 18 months, supporting a further 12 films directed by women. Birds’ Eye View, led by producer Mia Bays,...

Coel and Arinzé Kene are captivating as an unlikely couple who meet on a night out in Camden in this beguiling love story

Been So Long is a likable movie with a big heart. A contemporary romantic musical set in Camden, north London, it is based on the original Young Vic stage production, with music and lyrics by Arthur Darvill and book by Ché Walker. The director is Tinge Krishnan, who made the tough urban drama Junkhearts in 2011.

The film gives us a beguiling love story: Simone is a serious-minded single mother of a disabled child who, in spite of herself, falls for Raymond (Arinzé Kene), a tough man just out of prison for a chaotic, non-violent crime which he now bitterly regrets. He is now living at home with his mum and working for the council. The relationship of Simone and Raymond has enormous warmth and emotional generosity, and...

Debuting at the 2018 London Film Festival this is Netflix’s Been So Long, Tinge Krishnan’s London based musical starring Black Mirror and Chewing Gum’s Michaela Coel, George MacKay, Game of Thrones’ Joe Dempsie, Luke Norris, Arsher Ali, Arinze Keen and Ronke Adekoluejo. We spoke to the cast, director and to the film’s writer Che Walker who was in fine form alongside composer Arthur Darvill, better known to many as Rory Williams from Matt Smith’s reign on Doctor Who.

Been so Long will premiere on Netflix across the world on the 26th of October. Our perfectly harmonious songbirds Colin Hart and Scott Davis were on the red carpet to talk about this vibrant film, and about how having Netflix on board changed the filmmaking process. Here’s how they got on.

Been So Long Lff Premiere Interviews

Plot:

A dedicated single mother who, on an unusual night on the town,...

Is there anything that Michaela Coel can’t do at this point? The writer and actress came to people’s attention a few years back when her stage show “Chewing Gum” became a British comedy series, picking her up a BAFTA and fans in the U.S thanks to a growing cult following on Netflix. Since then, Coel’s continued to impress as she’s moved into more dramatic territory — first with a couple of roles in “Black Mirror,” then more recently in Hugo Blick’s excellent BBC miniseries “Black Earth Rising” alongside John Goodman (which will also head to Netflix globally in the new year).

Continue reading Michaela Coel Shines In Likeable Netflix Musical ‘Been So Long’ [Lff Review] at The Playlist.

Annual talent showcase spotlights the hottest up-and-coming actors and filmmakers in the UK and Ireland.

Screen International has revealed its Stars of Tomorrow 2018, spotlighting the hottest up-and-coming actors and filmmakers in the UK and Ireland.

Now in its 15th year, the annual talent showcase spotlights up-and-coming actors, writers, directors and producers from the UK and Ireland who are primed to make their mark in the industry in the years to come.

The annual showcase has established itself as a key identifier of emerging UK and Ireland talent, both in front of and behind the camera.

Horror pics are making a return across the board as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime update their streaming platforms for the spooky season.

“The Shining” will kick off Netflix’s horror film slate, followed by “Truth or Dare” with Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey, “The Haunting of Molly Hartley,” and the Netflix original “The Haunting of Hill House.” Non-horror fans can also look forward to the addition of several big movies, including “Blazing Saddles,” “The NeverEnding Story,” and “Zack and Miri Make a Porno.” Additionally, “Marvel’s Daredevil” is returning for a third season alongside Season 2 of “Making a Murderer” and “Big Mouth.”

Hulu is upping its horror game with titles such as “American Psycho,” “Anaconda” starring Jennifer Lopez, and “The Blair Witch Project.” The films will also appear alongside some more lighthearted content, including Season 5 of “Black-ish,” Season 9 of “Bob’s Burgers,” and Season 16 of “Family Guy.”

Rounding out the list,...

Halloween is on the horizon, and Netflix is getting ready by adding a host of new horror flicks to the streaming platform this October.

“The Shining” will be available starting Oct. 1. Later in the month, “Truth or Dare” with Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey, along with “The Haunting of Molly Hartley” and the Netflix original “The Haunting of Hill House” will be added. For non-horror fans, several stand-up comedy specials are joining the slate including Kevin Hart’s “Laugh at My Pain” and Adam Sandler’s “100% Fresh.”

A number of new show seasons are also premiering, including the second seasons of “Making a Murderer” and “Big Mouth,” as well as the third season of “Marvel’s Daredevil.” Netflix is also acquiring a host of other films such as “She’s Out of My League,” “The NeverEnding Story,” “V for Vendetta,” “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” and the “Blade” franchise.

"This is Camden, where everyone has a story..." Netflix has finally unveiled an official trailer for an indie romantic musical titled Been So Long, which is premiering at the London Film Festival this month before arriving on Netflix. This honestly looks like the first great movie musical since La La Land, and I've got a really good feeling it's going to be wonderful. Been So Long stars Michaela Coel as Simone, a dedicated single mother who, on an unusual night out on the town, is charmed by a handsome yet troubled stranger named Raymond, played by Arinzé Kene. Also starring George MacKay, Joe Dempsie, Luke Norris, Arsher Ali, Tom Forbes, Ashley Thomas, and Rakie Ayola. This isn't the greatest trailer, but there's still something about this that feels magical. As a fan of musicals myself, I can't wait to see this. Take a peek. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster...

As the creator of “Chewing Gum,” Michaela Cole won a BAFTA TV Award for her portrayal as a religious virgin navigating romance in London. Originally airing on the UK’s Channel 4, “Chewing Gum” eventually landed on Netflix, earning Cole a whole new cadre of international fans. This month, Netflix will deliver yet another serving of Cole’s talent, when she’ll star in “Been So Long,” a musical romance set in London.

Read More: ‘Black Mirror’ Season 5 Eyes December Premiere on Netflix, Set to Include ‘Choose-Your-Own-Adventure’ Episode

Per the official synopsis: “‘Been So Long’ is a neon soaked, modern day romance set on the streets of London’s Camden Town. We follow Simone (Coel), a dedicated single mother who, on a rare night on the town is charmed by a handsome yet troubled stranger, Raymond (Arinze Kene); igniting old and new feelings. Set against the backdrop of an ever-changing city,...