Keeley Hawes and Hugh Bonneville’s Roald Dahl movie is finally getting a release
Sky have announced their plans to release delayed British period drama movie To Olivia.
Originally titled An Unquiet Life, the movie stars Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) as novelist Roald Dahl and Keeley Hawes (The Durrells) as his American actress wife Patricia Neal.
The movie is inspired by the true story and based on Stephen Michael Shearer’s book of the same name.
The project has been in development since 2017, when it was first announced that Bonneville would star as the famous British children’s author.
To Olivia will now be released in the UK in cinemas and on demand via Sky Cinema in February 2021.
The official synopsis reads: “It’s 1962 and Roald Dahl, an eccentric, burgeoning children’s author and his wife, Patricia Neal, a glamourous Hollywood movie star, have retreated to the English countryside to bring up their expanding young family.
“Tragically, their lives are turned upside down by the devastating death of their daughter Olivia and as the couple struggle through the unimaginable loss, their shared grief becomes a source of redemption and strength which changes their lives forever.”
The cast also includes Sam Heughan (Outlander) playing American actor Paul Newman, alongside Geoffrey Palmer (Paddington), and Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones).
Sarah Wright, Director of Sky Cinema and Acquisitions at Sky UK & Ireland commented: “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.”
A release in the US hasn’t yet been confirmed.
Hugh Bonneville is best known for his role as the Earl of Grantham in all six seasons of Downton Abbey and last year’s hit movie.
He’s expected to reprise the role in the sequel, which will begin filming in 2021.
Stephen Michael Shearer’s book Patricia Neal: An Unquiet Life is available on Amazon.