Miriam Margolyes & Stephen Fry Set For UK Short; Nordisk Film Production Hire; Federation Lands Latest Series From ‘Bad Sisters' Co-Creator
EXCLUSIVE: Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter franchise) will lead upcoming British short film A Friend of Dorothy, with Stephen Fry (Wilde), Alistair Nwachukwu and Oscar Lloyd (Stranger Things: The First Shadow) also starring. The film, which shot at The Charterhouse in London and a private home in Kensington & Chelsea, follows the titular Dorothy (Margolyes), an elderly woman living alone who unexpectedly strikes up a friendship with young neighbor JJ (Nwachukwu) when his football lands in her garden. It explores themes of loneliness in old age, intergenerational friendship and LGBTQ+ issues. Pic is the writing and directorial debut of actor Lee Knight, who also serves as executive producer. He is best known for appearing opposite to Ian McKellen in Prime Video's Hamlet and for roles in two Harry Potter films. His Filthy Gorgeous Productions is making the short, in association with A Marlow's Production, Double Dice Films and Namesake Films. James Dean, Scottie Fotré and Max Marlow are producing. Vanessa Whyte is leading cinematography, Amanda Bernstein on production design and Francisco Rodriguez-Weil on costume design. Exec producers are Harry Burnett Rae, Charles Gordon, Nicky Hale, Soumia Majumdar, Nichola Martin, Elliott Linger and Ingrid Tarrant.
More from Deadline
'How To Kill Your Sister': Director Of Canneseries Competition Entry Talks Timelessness, Roadtrips & The "Absurdity" Of Belgian Content
Simon Pegg Film 'Angels In The Asylum' Halts Shoot Indefinitely After Funding "Crisis" Leaves Crew, Producers & Suppliers Out Of Pocket
Federation Studios Strikes Deal With Taiwan's Content Agency
Nordisk Film Production Expands Swedish Team
Nordisk Film Production has hired film and TV producer Emma Nyberg for its team in Sweden. Nyberg is known for producing the likes of 2017 Swedish blockbuster Sunny Side and Emmy-nominated series Riding in Darkness. She is currently in post-production on Netflix series Diary of a Ditched Girl, which is based on Amanda Romare's novels and was part of a large Nordic slate unveiled a year ago. Nordisk is framing her hire as in line with its strategy further increase its status as a major producer in Sweden. With her hiring and the recent addition of Lejla Bešić, Nordisk now employs 23 producers in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. 'A dream came true when Emma finally decided to join us at Nordisk Film Production,' said Johanna Bergenstråhle and Marike Muselaers, co-managing directors of Nordisk Film Production Sweden in a statement. 'Her talent for finding the right projects, her experience, her network of top Swedish writers and her great personality will be a great contribution to our Swedish office.' Nordisk's slate includes the upcoming Brace Your Heart, Bamse and the Secret of the Sea and The Girl with the Needle.
Federation Grabs Sales On Malin-Sarah Gozin Dramedy
France's Federation Studios is heading into Canneseries with international sales rights to Dead End, the dark comedy-thriller from Malin-Sarah Gozin. The six-part series is in competition at the Cannes event, and will screen on Monday, April 28 at 3 p.m. local time. We previously reported that Caviar was selling the show, but Federation has confirmed it now has worldwide rights. Gozin – known as the creator of the Belgian series that Bad Sisters was based on, and as an exec producer on the Apple TV+ – will attend the fest as creator, screenwriter and director, alongside fellow director Hans Vercauter and actors Peter Van den Begin, Elise Schaap, Emilie De Roo, Marjan De Schutter and Ward Kerremans. The series follows Van den Begin as Ed Bex, a man who has the peculiar ability to see flashes of the past when he tastes something. He runs an unconventional one-man business, which gives grieving families a reconstruction of their loved ones final moments by sucking on their toothbrush or tasting their lipstick. When police come across a corpse in an airtight bag, they turn to Ed for help and request he tries out his gift on human flesh. Per the synopsis, 'As Ed 'sinks his teeth' into the case, he finds himself caught in a whirlwind of bizarre events, family trouble and mid-life struggles.' Series launched earlier this year on Play Media and Streamz in Belgium. Gozin, Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, Bert Hamelinck and Dimitri Verbeeck are the exec producers.
Best of Deadline
Everything We Know About Netflix's 'The Thursday Murder Club' So Far
TV Show Book Adaptations Arriving In 2025 So Far
Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Magazine
2 hours ago
- Time Magazine
Meet the Breakout Singer Who Steals the Show in 'Highest 2 Lowest'
A new Spike Lee joint is always a reason to celebrate, and Highest 2 Lowest certainly meets the lofty expectations that accompany it. Marking Lee's fifth collaboration with Denzel Washington, the film is a reinterpretation of the Akira Kurosawa masterpiece High and Low, itself adapted loosely from Evan Hunter's 1959 novel King's Ransom. The movie follows Washington's music executive, David King, whose son gets kidnapped alongside his best friend, sending David on a mission to fight for his family's survival. It's a thrilling ride with an eclectic cast that includes Jeffrey Wright, former NBA player Rick Fox, and rapper A$AP Rocky. Highest 2 Lowest also continues Lee's knack for nurturing new, emerging talent (both in film, like casting Teyonah Parris in 2015's Chi-Raq, and in the classroom, like teaching the next generation of filmmakers at NYU). Here, he casts up-and-coming British singer Aiyana-Lee for a role in the film's unforgettable final scene. In Highest 2 Lowest, Aiyana-Lee, 24, plays Sula, a musician longing for her big break. She shows up at King's apartment for a big audition that could change her life forever. With one shot to show what she's got, she delivers, singing a stunning rendition of the film's title track, 'Highest 2 Lowest,' which Aiyana-Lee wrote for the film. In this pivotal moment, the singer serves up show-stopping vocals and an undeniable charisma. It's so arresting she manages to steal the show, a tall order given that she's sharing the scene with one of the greatest actors of all time. We spoke to Aiyana-Lee about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make her acting debut in a Spike Lee film. She shared her journey with music and the surprising way Lee reached out to her, allowing her to showcase her musical talents and acting chops in Highest 2 Lowest. Aiyana-Lee: There's not a time I can remember when I didn't want to be a singer. I was surrounded by it my whole life. My mom [Daciana-Nicole Anderson] is a 17-time platinum singer-songwriter. She always had music playing in the house. She always had sessions. I'd kind of butt in and try to be the star of the show. When I was 4 or 5, I was hopping on stage trying to be an opening act in her European tours. I did my own shows at 5 and 6 years old, and entered singing and songwriting competitions at 7 and 8. So it's always been part of my life. Michael Jackson. I was obsessed with him. He married what it is to be a performer, an artist, a songwriter, a producer. He had every aspect of it covered. I was so inspired by that and his work ethic, how he created a world with his music. He's so timeless. You could place Michael at any time, and he'd still be relevant. Yo, so he gave me a very long message on Instagram. He was like, 'Hey, this is the real Spike Lee.' I was like, 'Oh my gosh. What is happening?' I saw the verified signs and thought it could be him. He said, 'Are we cousins? You got Lee in your name, too.' He said he'd been listening to my music all night. I believe he stumbled upon 'My idols lied to me,' which is a song I wrote and produced that went viral on Instagram and TikTok. From there, he discovered my entire discography and loved it. It was probably 6 a.m., and I woke my mom. I was like, 'I think Spike Lee DMed me.' She was like, 'What are you talking about? Go back to bed.' I met him that very same day. No, he's very mysterious. So he won't tell you what he has in mind until you're already in the thick of it, which allows you to be in the moment and not overthink anything. He told me he was working on a movie. He sent me the script, just to get my thoughts on it. A few months later, he started asking for details about me, and then he'd send me some sides, and they included all the details I'd shared with him. I memorized them, and I auditioned for him and his casting team. He didn't tell me anything after that. He was just like, 'OK, let's get some Jordans.' I figured my audition wasn't trash, because if it was, I wouldn't be getting these shoes! Months later, he told me I got the part, that I'm flying to New York in a few weeks, and you're gonna be on set with Denzel. I couldn't believe it. I still don't. I'm always the person who's like, 'It's not happening, actually, everyone's gonna change their mind at some point.' I think there's a part of you that just can't comprehend it until later on, when you're looking back. I was super excited and honored, and obviously I'm a huge Spike Lee fan and Denzel fan. My mom and I were just over the moon. I called my grandma, and she was like, 'Oh my God, I know these people!' That's how you know—when the grandma knows what's up? Now I know we're good. It came up that same month. We spent a week going back and forth, talking about writing a song for Highest 2 Lowest. I probably wrote 10 different songs for the movie. I have a whole album of Spike joints! Eventually, we came to one that he felt was accurate to what the movie represents. He was hands-on and very collaborative, and pushed me to just share my story. That was very freeing for me—especially having been through so many situations in my career where I felt muzzled. To have someone at his level believe in me and want me to be heard without a filter was beautiful. We had conversations about the theme. Sometimes he'd give me tidbits of lines that then inspired me to lean into more of my own story. At that point, he already knew who I am as a person—he's like a big brother now. Because he already knew what I've been through, he was able to tap into that and help me navigate how I can portray it in a way that feels cinematic. One note that he did give me was that I don't have the same chorus over and over again. Write a completely new one every time to continue the story. You're taught that the chorus should be repetitive, but I think in this case, it really propelled the story forward. So it did feel like the song was a movie in itself. It represents the journey I've been through. Having people, whether in my personal life or the industry, put me down because of my age. You know, 'I'm older, so I know better,' right? A lot of people trying to make me distrust my intuition and voice. I think we're moving into a time where we're becoming, or should be becoming, artists first, authenticity first. I think this film has a great theme where it tackles [corporate] versus real artistry, numbers versus real artistry. That's something I've always stood for, and at times it's been hard for me. I feel like this film is a culmination of all the struggles and having that moment of a beacon of light and hope. I have always admired actors and actresses. I've always loved filmmaking. I've always tried to incorporate it into my music videos, that cinematic feel. For me, I just tried to know the lines. So then when I do get on set, I can be in the moment, make it as real as possible. Sula to me felt like who I am. I've been through a situation just like in the scene where an executive was sitting right there, and I was just singing for that person and auditioning. I brought that moment that I already had in my experience into that scene. Denzel gave me a note to just listen. It put me more in my body and being present. And Denzel makes such an amazing executive. His just being there, you have no choice but to be part of that world. It's no longer acting, it's just being. For sure, the movie! I was so nervous, but as soon as I was there with everybody, it was so welcoming. Denzel told me I was a natural! It really made me have confidence in myself. No one had an ego, and those are the best environments to work in. It's a crazy contrast with the music industry. You're part of a certain conglomerate, and you're pushed to fit into a certain mold. This was so refreshing. It's the Age of Aquarius, where we're stepping into an era where you have no choice but to lean into yourself and your authenticity! It was over 20 times! I sang it over and over and over again live. It was like a full-day concert happening, I was shocked. No one was fed up. The whole crew was so amazing. They enjoyed it every time. We were doing it with the same mic you use for acting, so the sound is all technically dead. It's completely raw; there is no effect. Spike is so intentional, and he created a very vulnerable moment. We shot it a lot, but I would have been ready to keep going for another few days. I was prepared to do my own concert after that. This was my band camp training. I saw myself because I did some ADR. Honestly, I was completely shook, because it's always been a dream of mine to act. It's a surreal moment to see yourself on a screen with Denzel Washington and all these incredible actors. I can't believe just being authentic got me to this place. The year that Spike discovered me, I was about to be homeless. It just felt like such a hopeful moment. I'm so inspired to continue down this path. Spike sent me this Italian song [Prisencolinensinainciusol] by Adriano Celentano. And technically, the whole song is just gibberish, so he's not saying any lyrics at all, right? Spike saw this kind of folky song that I posted on Instagram, and he called me. He's like, 'I have an idea. I didn't know you could do folk. I'm gonna send you a song. Check it out.' I thought it was really cool, so he asked me to put lyrics to it. The melody and cadence are there, but we needed lyrics. He just wanted to have this song in the end credits that's this celebratory moment. And so I applied that note and added a new layer to it. I hope I get to release a lot more music, and build a community around it that really enjoys and relates to it. I hope my story can be inspiring to people who maybe feel like doing it yourself isn't enough, where you need to wait for somebody, because waiting has never helped me. Something important to me is sharing that you can be your own manager, your own label. We live in a time where you can do a lot by yourself, and there's no excuse not to vouch for yourself. I also hope to do more movies. Something was life-changing about being on set, and the energy there was so incredible that I'd love to continue that journey. I would love to do this forever.
Eater
3 hours ago
- Eater
3 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in Los Angeles: August 15
Every Friday, our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: 'Where should I eat?' Here are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here's our list of the hottest places to get cocktails in town. For a Beijing duck feast that heals the soul: Ji Rong Peking Duck in Rosemead Since we haven't met yet, hi, I'm Kat Thompson, and I'm joining the Eater Southern California/Southwest team as an audience editor, a role I'm excited to tackle to highlight all the incredible restaurants in our vast region. Still, change can be hard, and when life feels in flux I often gravitate toward something familiar to ground me. The perfect grounding meal, in most cases, is Ji Rong's roast Beijing duck, a dish that has yet to disappoint me across dozens of visits. The duck is consistently great with lacquered crispy skin, accompanied by paper-thin crepes painted with sweet and savory hoisin sauce, fresh sliced cucumbers, and ribbons of green onion. Overall, the experience feels extravagant and comforting at once. Although duck is the restaurant's namesake, there are so many other hits on the menu too. Battered pumpkin sprinkled with salted egg yolk, tongue-tingling spicy cold chicken, and the sticky Shanghai-style spareribs are among my favorites. 8450 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, CA, 91770. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest For dinner in Burbank that is not the Ikea food court: Tun Lahmajo Lahmajune at Tun Lahmajo in Burbank, California. Rebecca Roland Ever since reading Los Angeles Times critic Bill Addison's review of Burbank's Armenian restaurant Tun Lahmajo, I've looked for an excuse to find myself in the neighborhood that wasn't a trip to Ikea, since that always ends with Swedish meatballs. Recent plans (that didn't quite work out) finally brought me to Burbank and I jumped at the chance to make a detour. Even mid-week, Tun Lahmajo was bustling; in the dining room, a group combined a handful of tables into something that could accommodate at least 12, while there wasn't a single open seat on the patio. At the front of the restaurant, a fire licked the edges of a towering stone oven as plates of loosely wrapped dolmas emerged from the back kitchen. But I remained focused on the lahmajune (also spelled lahmajoon) topped with spiced ground meat, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. The lahmajune here is thinner and softer than at other shops like the Lahmajune Factory, more akin to the texture of a roti or flaky tortilla. The rest of the food arrived within minutes: shawarma cradled in a flatbread with sliced tomatoes, a still-steaming bowl of lentil soup, and meat and rice dolmas with a yogurt sauce. The service was casual and warm, an extension of the feeling that Tun Lahmajo is the staff's own expansive kitchen, where they welcome friends in. 2202 N. Glenoaks Boulevard, Burbank, CA, 91504. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest For a breakfast of champions, at any time of day: New York's Chopped Cheese Chopped cheese sandwich at New York's Chopped Cheese in Los Angeles. Jakob N. Layman Weekend mornings are my time to shine. After I wake up and walk the dog, exploring Los Angeles during the early hours is pure joy, especially before the afternoon madness. But to traverse this vast city of ours and take in the sights and sounds, one needs sustenance — cue New York's Chopped Cheese. The Hollywood outlet is open until 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on weekends), while the Mid-City location operates from 10 a.m. to midnight. The restaurant comes from a group of former New Yorkers (including one from Linden Hollywood) who wanted to bring New York City's favorite corner bodega sandwich imports to Los Angeles: a chopped cheese and bacon, egg, and cheese. I admit to side-eyeing the prospect of another New York City import, but New York's Chopped Cheese got me with that classic and incredible chopped cheese. The grilled beef patties are evenly chopped and brightened, when, of course, sauteed onions, seasoning, and cheese come into the mix. It's one of those 'I'll be full until dinnertime' kind of meals. There's no mistaking how delicious this is, so please enjoy while it's hot off the griddle. 5109 Venice Boulevard, Mid-City, CA, 90019 or 1471 Tamarind Avenue, Hollywood, CA, 90028. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Related The 38 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles Eater LA All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Krispy Kreme announces five 'Harry Potter' doughnuts inspired by Hogwarts houses, plus when fans can grab a free treat
The bewitching collection is available starting next week. Krispy Kreme announced a new magical doughnut collection this week inspired by the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "We're channeling the beloved magic of Harry Potter and the Houses of Hogwarts for a collection that is truly bewitching," said Alison Holder, chief brand and product officer for Krispy Kreme. "But the magic is fleeting, and so are these doughnuts, so don't miss your chance to try them!' The announcement comes amid the excitement and first looks at HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series, set to premiere in 2027. Here's a look at the Hogwarts houses-inspired doughnuts, and when Harry Potter fans can grab a free treat: When will the doughnut collection be available? They'll magically appear at participating Krispy Kreme stores across the U.S. starting Monday, Aug. 18, for a limited time. Here's a look at the five Hogwarts-inspired doughnuts Gryffindor doughnut: an unglazed shell doughnut filled with cookie butter flavored cream, dipped in red icing and Biscoff cookie crumble, topped with golden icing drizzles and the Gryffindor crest. Slytherin doughnut: an original glazed doughnut topped with chocolate and green buttercream flavored swirls, chocolate cookie sugar blend, and the Slytherin crest. Hufflepuff doughnut: an unglazed shell doughnut filled with brown butter toffee flavored custard, dipped in golden yellow icing, and topped with black chocolate drizzle, cookie crunch, and the Hufflepuff crest. Ravenclaw doughnut: an original glazed doughnut dipped in blueberry flavored icing, topped with the Ravenclaw sprinkles and crest. Sorting hat doughnut: A doughnut filled with a mystery-colored cream that represents one of the four Hogwarts Houses. It's dipped in chocolate-flavored icing, sprinkled with gold stars and sugar, and topped with the sorting hat piece. This one is sold separately in a limited-edition specialty box, while supplies last. Are there any other upcoming promotions tied to 'Harry Potter'? On Saturday, Aug. 23, participating Krispy Kreme stores will be celebrating a special House of Hogwarts day. Any Harry Potter fan who reps their favorite Hogwarts House will get one free original glazed doughnut without having to purchase anything, while supplies last. Starting Sept. 1, Krispy Kreme is giving Harry Potter fans the chance to win a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood or Universal Orlando Resort to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. For more information, visit Krispy Kreme's giveaway website here. Solve the daily Crossword
