Latest news with #JessicaFox
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Plans launched for Scottish 'women only western'
A female-led project from Scotland has launched an ambitious plan to create the first wild west film funded entirely by women. 'Spaghetti Western' is the latest initiative from Wigtown-based and US-born writer and director Jessica Fox, who hopes it will help open the door for more female influence over the movie industry. She, and London-based producer Diana Phillips, believe it's essential to have more films created from the female gaze and with female financing. Spaghetti Western is set in 1881 when Elena Fardella, a young Sicilian widow, finds herself thrust into the battle for control of the remote, dust-blown town of Eden, New Mexico. Her only weapon is her skill as a cook and determination to use food to bring people together. The team are hoping to make the first female-funded western (Image: Colin Hattersley) Fox, known for her award-winning movie Stella and her romantic memoir Three Things You Need To Know About Rockets has put together a vibrant international creative team, including the Grammy award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens. Development funding is in place, thanks to female angel investors, and the team is calling on other women to seize the chance to be part of a project aiming to change the movie-making landscape. Fox said: 'It's a fun, authentic, deliciously different take on the Wild West – how it was really won, as gun toting bad guys face the ultimate showdown when Sicilian cookery comes to town. 'But the project is far bigger, it's about empowering women of the 21st century to start transforming the movie industry, by getting involved as investors, directors and producers. 'It's a sector that's overwhelmingly dominated by men. Men decide who and what to fund, the film and TV that we watch and our cultural narratives. Even the films with female central characters are largely made through the male gaze. 'It's time that changed, with fresh stories and ideas that bring new perspectives to the big screen – and with that, new audiences. 'The only way that's going to happen is if we begin making movies that are funded by women and offer the insights and experience they need to truly take the leading role. 'She who holds the purse strings tells the story.' READ MORE: Emma Thompson joins Kenmure Street documentary as producer First glimpse of new documentary about influential Scottish band at Cannes Investors are being offered a variety of benefits in addition to a potential return, including the chance to make an appearance on film. Phillips said: 'We have a brilliant script, a great creative team, the music has been recorded and development funding is in place – now we are looking for women to come forward as investors and collaborators so we can make a great movie and a real difference to the movie industry.' Among the women who have come together to provide development funding for Spaghetti Western is Professor Lynne Cadenhead, chair of Women's Enterprise Scotland and chief operating officer of TRICAPITAL Angels Ltd. She said: 'Funding remains one of the biggest barriers to getting women's stories on screen. The truth is, whoever controls the purse strings tells the story — and it's time for that to change. Spaghetti Western offers a groundbreaking model for women to back each other creatively, take control of the storytelling, and build a legacy that lasts.'
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hollyoaks legends spark axe fears ahead of 30th anniversary amid mass cast exodus and cash crisis
HOLLYOAKS legends Jessica Fox and Ashley Taylor Dawson have sparked fears they could be axed from the soap. The pair spoke out after a mass culling of their co-stars and admitted they are 'crossing their fingers and toes' that they won't also get the boot. 6 Hollyoks' Jessica Fox has spoken about the soap's mass axing of cast members Credit: Instagram 6 Her co-star Ashley Taylor Dawson says 'anyone can go' Credit: Rex Features 6 The pair play Nancy and Darren in the E4 soap Credit: LimePictures Jessica has played Nancy Hayton in Hollyoaks for 20 years and Ashley has played Darren Osborne for 26 years. But even they are both concerned about their future on the E4 soap. This year, Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary and bosses have said the milestone will be marked on the show. It is not yet known if this will include another dramatic stunt scene - which could also result in more character deaths. Jessica told the Daily Star: 'If the past year has taught us anything, it's that no one is guaranteed to stay. You just have to cross your fingers and toes that you will.' Ashley added: 'Anyone can go. That's the industry we're in. "You never take anything for granted. If it's your time, it's your time. You just have to deal with it.' Hollyoaks fans were left fearful for the show last year when The Sun revealed a huge number of characters were being killed off. The soap's schedule was also cut from five to three episodes a week, making it the industry's biggest blood bath. In September, an epic deadly motorbike crash and car explosion stunt saw the show fast-forward an entire year in a time jump and lose 20 stars. Hollyoaks' Jessica Fox mum shamed over her baby bump as pregnant star hits back Both Nancy and Ashley survived the cull - but not everyone was so lucky. Gregory Finnegan's character James Nightingale died in the car explosion. Suzanne Ashworth, played by Suzanne Hall, was also killed off. Andre Clark (David Joshua-Anthony) Sally St Claire (Annie Wallace) had left the village once the show had jumped forward a year, while Ethan Williams was killed off by his new wife Sienna Blake the following month. Matthew James Bailey, who played Ethan, was forced to bow out. One of the biggest shocks, however, was the axing of Stephanie Waring. Stephanie had played Cindy Cunningham on and off for 28 years and was devastated to be sacked. Speaking exclusively to The Sun at the time, the actress said she broke down in tears and begged Hollyoaks bosses to reconsider. Hollyoaks - cast member cull HOLLYOAKS beauty Chelsee Healey has dropped the biggest hint yet she's been axed from the soap - yet what's happening at the Channel 4 show? Earlier this year, the Channel 4 soap was forced to address the cull of cast members. It came after The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses plan to kill off a whopping 20 cast members. Now Chelsee, who recently took time away from her role as Goldie McQueen to give birth to her second daughter, has now made a cryptic move on X. The Manchester lass, 36, re-posted a picture of her character crying to her page. It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull. Another big name set to quit for good is popstar turned soap star Jamelia. The soap's resident hunk and TV favourite Owen Warner has also left the show amid the cuts with fans left devastated to say goodbye to his character Romeo Nightingale. Jamie Lomas has also quit the show and will depart his Warren Fox role soon. Haiesha Mistry famed for her role as Yasmine Maalik has also left after seven years. She said: 'I was learning all week of the people who were going, and I remember crying at one of them, and I had this gut feeling that I would be too. 'But another part of me was thinking 'I've just signed a year-long contract, surely it won't be me'. Everyone was telling me I would be fine as I'm an original character. 'In the meeting they read from a script and a tear fell from my eye because I could just feel it in the room. 'They got to the end and said 'And with that, we will be losing Cindy from the show'. I just kept saying 'I don't understand'. I was very distraught, I didn't take it well - I was probably the most dramatic person they told. 'I just kept telling them 'I'm an original character'. I was clutching at anything - telling them, 'But I was the first person to give birth on the show!' I could see the distress I was causing them because they were upset that I was so upset.' 6 Jessica says she 'crosses her fingers and toes' she won't be axed Credit: Lime Pictures 6 Gregory Finnegan's character James Nightingale was killed off last year 6 Stephanie Waring 'sobbed' after being given the boot Credit: Getty
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Hollyoaks legends spark axe fears ahead of 30th anniversary amid mass cast exodus and cash crisis
HOLLYOAKS legends Jessica Fox and Ashley Taylor Dawson have sparked fears they could be axed from the soap. The pair spoke out after a mass culling of their co-stars and admitted they are 'crossing their fingers and toes' that they won't also get the boot. 6 6 6 Jessica has played Nancy Hayton in Hollyoaks for 20 years and Ashley has played Darren Osborne for 26 years. But even they are both concerned about their future on the E4 soap. This year, Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary and bosses have said the milestone will be marked on the show. It is not yet known if this will include another dramatic stunt scene - which could also result in more character deaths. Jessica told the Daily Star: 'If the past year has taught us anything, it's that no one is guaranteed to stay. You just have to cross your fingers and toes that you will.' Ashley added: 'Anyone can go. That's the industry we're in. "You never take anything for granted. If it's your time, it's your time. You just have to deal with it.' Hollyoaks fans were left fearful for the show last year when The Sun revealed a huge number of characters were being killed off. The soap's schedule was also cut from five to three episodes a week, making it the industry's biggest blood bath. In September, an epic deadly motorbike crash and car explosion stunt saw the show fast-forward an entire year in a time jump and lose 20 stars. Hollyoaks' Jessica Fox mum shamed over her baby bump as pregnant star hits back Both Nancy and Ashley survived the cull - but not everyone was so lucky. Gregory Finnegan's character James Nightingale died in the car explosion. Suzanne Ashworth, played by Suzanne Hall, was also killed off. Andre Clark (David Joshua-Anthony) Sally St Claire (Annie Wallace) had left the village once the show had jumped forward a year, while Ethan Williams was killed off by his new wife Sienna Blake the following month. Matthew James Bailey, who played Ethan, was forced to bow out. One of the biggest shocks, however, was the axing of Stephanie Waring. Stephanie had played Cindy Cunningham on and off for 28 years and was devastated to be sacked. Speaking exclusively to The Sun at the time, the actress said she broke down in tears and begged Hollyoaks bosses to reconsider. Hollyoaks - cast member cull HOLLYOAKS beauty Chelsee Healey has dropped the biggest hint yet she's been axed from the soap - yet what's happening at the Channel 4 show? Earlier this year, the Channel 4 soap was forced to address the cull of cast members. It came after The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses plan to kill off a whopping 20 cast members. Now Chelsee, who recently took time away from her role as Goldie McQueen to give birth to her second daughter, has now made a cryptic move on X. The Manchester lass, 36, re-posted a picture of her character crying to her page. It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull. Another big name set to quit for good is popstar turned soap star Jamelia. The soap's resident hunk and TV favourite Owen Warner has also left the show amid the cuts with fans left devastated to say goodbye to his character Romeo Nightingale. Jamie Lomas has also quit the show and will depart his Warren Fox role soon. Haiesha Mistry famed for her role as Yasmine Maalik has also left after seven years. She said: 'I was learning all week of the people who were going, and I remember crying at one of them, and I had this gut feeling that I would be too. 'But another part of me was thinking 'I've just signed a year-long contract, surely it won't be me'. Everyone was telling me I would be fine as I'm an original character. 'In the meeting they read from a script and a tear fell from my eye because I could just feel it in the room. 'They got to the end and said 'And with that, we will be losing Cindy from the show'. I just kept saying 'I don't understand'. I was very distraught, I didn't take it well - I was probably the most dramatic person they told. 'I just kept telling them 'I'm an original character'. I was clutching at anything - telling them, 'But I was the first person to give birth on the show!' I could see the distress I was causing them because they were upset that I was so upset.' 6 6
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Hollyoaks legends spark axe fears ahead of 30th anniversary amid mass cast exodus and cash crisis
HOLLYOAKS legends Jessica Fox and Ashley Taylor Dawson have sparked fears they could be axed from the soap. The pair spoke out after a mass culling of their co-stars and admitted they are 'crossing their fingers and toes' that they won't also get the boot. 6 Hollyoks' Jessica Fox has spoken about the soap's mass axing of cast members Credit: Instagram 6 Her co-star Ashley Taylor Dawson says 'anyone can go' Credit: Rex Features 6 The pair play Nancy and Darren in the E4 soap Credit: LimePictures Jessica has played Nancy Hayton in Hollyoaks for 20 years and Ashley has played Darren Osborne for 26 years. But even they are both concerned about their future on the E4 soap. This year, Hollyoaks celebrates its 30th anniversary and bosses have said the milestone will be marked on the show. It is not yet known if this will include another dramatic stunt scene - which could also result in more character deaths. read more on hollyoaks Jessica told the Ashley added: 'Anyone can go. That's the industry we're in. "You never take anything for granted. If it's your time, it's your time. You just have to deal with it.' Hollyoaks fans were left fearful for the show last year when The Sun revealed Most read in Soaps The soap's schedule was also cut from five to three episodes a week, making it the industry's biggest blood bath. In September, an epic deadly motorbike crash and car explosion stunt saw the show fast-forward an entire year in a time jump and lose 20 stars. Hollyoaks' Jessica Fox mum shamed over her baby bump as pregnant star hits back Both Nancy and Ashley survived the cull - but not everyone was so lucky. Andre Clark (David Joshua-Anthony) Sally St Claire (Annie Wallace) had left the village once the show had jumped forward a year, while Matthew James Bailey, who played Ethan, was forced to bow out. One of the biggest shocks, however, was the axing of Stephanie Waring. Stephanie had played Speaking exclusively to The Sun at the time, the actress said she Hollyoaks - cast member cull HOLLYOAKS beauty Chelsee Healey has dropped the biggest hint yet she's been axed from the soap - yet what's happening at the Channel 4 show? Earlier this year, the Channel 4 soap was forced to It came after The Sun was first to report Hollyoaks bosses plan to Now Chelsee, who recently took time away from her role as Goldie McQueen to give birth to her second daughter, has now made a cryptic move on X. The Manchester lass, 36, re-posted a picture of her character crying to her page. It came after Stephanie Waring, famed for her 28-year-long role as Cindy Cunningham, confirmed that soap bosses had axed her as part of the 20-person strong cast cull. Another The soap's resident hunk and TV favourite She said: 'I was learning all week of the people who were going, and I remember crying at one of them, and I had this gut feeling that I would be too. 'But another part of me was thinking 'I've just signed a year-long contract, surely it won't be me'. Everyone was telling me I would be fine as I'm an original character. 'In the meeting they read from a script and a tear fell from my eye because I could just feel it in the room. 'They got to the end and said 'And with that, we will be losing Cindy from the show'. I just kept saying 'I don't understand'. I was very distraught, I didn't take it well - I was probably the most dramatic person they told. 'I just kept telling them 'I'm an original character'. I was clutching at anything - telling them, 'But I was the first person to give birth on the show!' I could see the distress I was causing them because they were upset that I was so upset.' 6 Jessica says she 'crosses her fingers and toes' she won't be axed Credit: Lime Pictures 6 Gregory Finnegan's character James Nightingale was killed off last year 6 Stephanie Waring 'sobbed' after being given the boot Credit: Getty
