Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers, Homeland) has joined previously announced Ella Purnell (Fallout, Sweetpea, Yellowjackets) and Nicholas Galitzine (The Idea of You, Mary & George) in The Return of Stanley Atwell, a new thriller from BAFTA- and Golden Globe-winning, Academy Award-nominated producer of Hamnet Hera Pictures and co-produced with John Gore Studios.
Also joining the cast are Jess Alexander, (The Beauty, Amadeus) Adrian Rawlins, (Rose of Nevada, Slow Horses) Will Keen (His Dark Materials, The Crown).
Written and directed by Brian Welsh (Beats, Black Mirror), The Return of Stanley Atwell is based on an original story by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, who also serves as executive producer. The film marks Welsh’s second collaboration with Soderbergh following their debut Beats, and his second collaboration with Liza Marshall and Hera Pictures after the BAFTA nominated BBC drama What It Feels Like for a Girl.
Stanley Atwell (Galitzine), the presumed dead son and heir to Lord Atwell’s title and fortune, unexpectedly returns to the family estate having escaped a decade of mysterious captivity. Atwell’s shocking reappearance causes chaos as he finds his sister Beatrice fighting to claim his inheritance, whilst close friend Pamela (Purnell) manipulates his puzzling return, and a dark family secret, in a bid to seize control of the Atwell fortune. Sex, passion, backstabbing and betrayal wreak havoc across the estate as the lies and deception the Atwell name has been built upon start to unravel. How far is each family member willing to go to protect their own wealth and status… and what is really behind the return of Stanley Atwell?
Brian Welsh, Writer and Director said, “It’s been such a joy to have Damian Lewis on The Return of Stanley Atwell as Barnaby Towan. He brings humour, depth and some big surprises to the role. Damian’s a real dream addition to this ensemble and we’re honoured he wanted to come play.’
Liza Marshall, Producer and Founder of Hera Pictures said, “Damian has an exceptional ability to balance sharp intelligence with emotional complexity – the perfect combination for the role of Barnaby, a character that is intriguingly complex, charming and sharp-edged.We’re also thrilled to welcome the brilliant Jess, Adrian and Will to the cast – each bringing such depth and nuance to their characters and making the world of the Atwells vivid, compelling and seductive.”
John Gore, Producer and Founder of John Gore Studios said, “Damian Lewis is an actor of immense range and gravitas; we feel incredibly privileged to have him. He brings a striking level of sophistication, tension, and emotional complexity to the character. With Adrian Rawlins, Jess Alexander, and Will Keen rounding out this exceptional cast, the film is set to offer audiences a seductive, cinematic experience rich in atmosphere and psychological depth.”
The film is produced by Liza Marshall for Hera Pictures and John Gore for John Gore Studios.
Steven Soderbergh serves as Executive Producer with Hilary Strong and Francis Hopkinson executive producing for John Gore Studios, alongside Dave Bishop and George Hamilton for Protagonist Pictures. The film is produced by Hera Pictures, co-produced and equity financed by John Gore Studios (My Duchess, The Queen of Fashion).
Protagonist Pictures is handling international sales and WME Independent are co-repping US rights.
Filming is underway in the UK and Malta.
Damian Lewis is repped by Markham Froggatt & Irwin.
Jon Creamer
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