To Olivia FIRST LOOK: Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes transform into Roald Dahl and his actress wife Patricia Neal in new biopic about the tragic loss of their daughter
Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes channel Roald Dahl and his American actress wife Patricia Neal in a new picture from upcoming biopic To Olivia.
The Downton Abbey favourite, 57, and the Bodyguard actress, 47, star in the new Sky Cinema original movie about the legendary children’s author’s life and marriage.
Based on a true story, the upcoming film is set in 1962 and will focus on Roald and Patricia’s move to the English countryside as they raise their expanding young family.
New role: Hugh Bonneville and Keeley Hawes channel Roald Dahl and his American actress wife Patricia Neal in a new picture from upcoming biopic To Olivia
However, their lives are tragically turned upside down when their young daughter Olivia dies, with the couple seen struggling to cope through their heartbreaking, unimaginable loss.
As they navigate their lives without Olivia, their shared grief becomes a source of strength and redemption, which changes their lives forever.
Directed by John Hay, the heartwarming biopic also features Outlander star Sam Heughan and Game Of Thrones’ Conleth Hill.
The movie also features an appearance by the late Geoffrey Palmer, who sadly passed away earlier this month.
A look into their life: Based on a true story, the upcoming film is set in 1962 and will focus on Roald and Patricia’s move to the English countryside as they raise their expanding young family
John Hay joined forced with David Logan to write the script, while the film is to be produced by the Atticus Films banner.
To Olivia will be released in cinemas and on Sky Cinema in February 2021.
Speaking of the film, director of Sky Cinema and Acquisitions at Sky UK and Ireland Sarah Wright said: ‘We are all familiar with the extraordinary Roald Dahl and Oscar-winning actor, Patricia Neal.
‘But in ‘To Olivia’, audiences will discover the true story of the heartache and struggles the outwardly glamorous couple experienced prior to their immense success.
‘I’m thrilled to be working with Atticus Films to bring this brand new British film exclusively to Sky Cinema.’
While Paddington star Hugh suggested that the drama could become a movie franchise following the success of the 2019 film, in a similar manner to the Star Trek films.
He said: ‘I can see a ‘Star Trek’ franchise, I think this is the beginning. This is just a gentle opener to what’s going to be a huge franchise of five or six movies.’
Heartbreak: their lives are tragically turned upside down when their young daughter Olivia dies, with the couple seen struggling to cope through their heartbreaking, unimaginable loss