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Bjarne Henriksen

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Bjarne Henriksen

'King & Conqueror' Trailer Finds Nikolaj Coster-Waldau & James Norton Facing off on the Battlefield
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Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is putting on his battle armor yet again in the official trailer for the new BBC historical drama, King & Conqueror. The Game of Thrones alum will take on the role of William, Duke of Normandy, who fought against James Norton‘s Harold, Earl of Wessex, in the Battle of Hastings, which is described as one of the bloodiest battles in Britain's history. You can check out the new trailer for the historical epic series below.

As he prepares to go into battle in King & Conqueror, Coster-Waldau's William almost looks like a spitting image of his Game of Thrones character, Jaime Lannister, who is considered one of the most prominent characters in the Game of Thrones television and book series, based on the novels written by George R.R. Martin. The actor played the villainous character throughout the show's eight-season run, from the first episode that aired in 2011 to the series finale,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 7/29/2025
  • by Karelle McKay
  • MovieWeb
Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon actors team up for epic new BBC series—watch the trailer
James Norton in King and Conqueror (2025)
Historical drama King & Conqueror is set to bring the brutal and bloody Battle of Hastings to life with an intense first trailer. The epic series, which is poised to make waves when it premieres next month, takes viewers back to 1066, a year that defined the future of England and Europe.

As reported by Deadline, the trailer showcases a fierce confrontation between two powerful figures: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, and James Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex, both vying for the throne of England in one of the most pivotal battles in British history.

Of course, for us here at Winter is Coming, this show is particularly exciting as it stars two Game of Thrones universe actors, with Coster-Waldau playing Jaime Lannister in the original series and Norton portraying Ormund Hightower in the upcoming third season of House of the Dragon.

In the trailer, Coster-Waldau’s William,...
See full article at Winter Is Coming
  • 7/25/2025
  • by Srabana Aich
  • Winter Is Coming
James Norton & Nikolaj Coster-Waldau star in trailer for ‘King & Conqueror’
James Norton in King and Conqueror (2025)
The BBC has launched the trailer for ‘King & Conqueror,’ a new eight-part historical epic coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One this year.

The story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years, the roots of which stretch back decades and extend out through a pair of interconnected family dynasties, struggling for power across two countries and a raging sea. Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy were two men destined to meet at the Battle of Hastings in 1066; two allies with no design on the English throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of its crown.

The 60-second trailer shows Harold, Earl of Wessex (James Norton) and William, Duke of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) as they battle for the throne alongside their respective wives, Edith Swan-neck (Emily Beecham) and Matilda (Clémence Poésy...
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 7/24/2025
  • by Zehra Phelan
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
King & Conqueror Trailer and Key Art Revealed by the BBC
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The BBC has revealed the trailer and key art for King & Conqueror, a new eight-part historical epic coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One this year. The trailer shows Harold, Earl of Wessex (James Norton) and William, Duke of Normandy (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) as they battle for the throne alongside their respective wives, Edith Swan-neck (Emily Beecham) and Matilda (Clémence Poésy).

The trailer also features allies and enemies such as King Edward (Eddie Marsan), Lady Emma (Juliet Stevenson), Morcar (Elander Moore), Gytha (Clare Holman), Tostig (Luther Ford), Queen Gunhild (Bo Bragason), and Godwin (Geoff Bell).

King & Conqueror is produced by The Development Partnership, Rabbit Track Pictures, Shepherd Content, Rvk Studios, and CBS Studios, in association with the BBC. The series is created and written by Michael Robert Johnson, with the first episode directed by Baltasar Kormákur.

The series also stars Jean-Marc Barr as King Henry, Elliott Cowan as Sweyn,...
See full article at Vital Thrills
  • 7/24/2025
  • by Mirko Parlevliet
  • Vital Thrills
James Norton & Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Do Battle In Trailer For Historical Epic ‘King & Conqueror’
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“I am the true King of England,” yells Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s William, Duke of Normandy in the trailer for King & Conqueror, as he faces off against James Norton’s Harold, Earl of Wessex.

The epic 1066 drama has unveiled its first trailer and it features plenty of blood, gore and violence.

Both stars can be seen rearing their respective armies as they do battle in one of the bloodiest and most well known historical battles Britain has ever seen. The pair can be seen battling for the throne alongside their respective wives, Edith Swan-neck (Emily Beecham) and Matilda (Clémence Poésy) throughout the trail.

Launching next month, the BBC is airing the CBS Studios show in the UK and Paramount Global Content Distribution is selling elsewhere.

King & Conqueror is described as the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years,...
See full article at Deadline Film + TV
  • 7/24/2025
  • by Max Goldbart
  • Deadline Film + TV
Brie Larson Joins Oscar-Winning MCU Star in New FX Show Based on 5-Year-Old Crime Thriller Series
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Academy Award-winning star Brie Larson has finally found her next major TV project in the form of an FX limited drama titled, Cry Wolf. The project will be based on the 2020 Danish family drama series of the same name by writer Kim Fupz Aakeson.

Per Variety, Larson has officially signed to play one of the leading roles in the upcoming English remake of Cry Wolf. In addition, she will also be serving as an executive producer. This marks Larson’s first TV project as the lead in nearly two years, after previously starring in Apple TV+’s acclaimed historical drama Lessons in Chemistry. For her performance as chemist and host Elizabeth Zott in the said miniseries, Larson received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

Besides Larson, Cry Wolf will also be led by Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, whose performance as...
See full article at CBR
  • 7/20/2025
  • by Maggie Dela Paz
  • CBR
'Hearstopper's Kit Connor Made His Debut in the Underrated 'Get Santa'
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Everyone has their favorite on-screen Santa. Whether it's Ed Asner's gruff but warm Santa in 2003's Elf or Edmund Gwenn's immortal portrayal in 1947's Miracle on 34th Street, countless actors have donned the red and white suit. But one actor isn't often in that conversation, despite playing the role twice within a three-year span.

That actor is Jim Broadbent, one of the most recognizable British character actors who's lent his jovial sensibility to everything from Bridget Jones's Diary to the Harry Potter films. Broadbent first took a turn as Santa in vocal form in 2011's acclaimed animated adventure Arthur Christmas, before getting a chance to don the white beard three years later in 2014's Get Santa. The film was generally met with good reviews at the time, but has since largely disappeared into the stream of would-be Christmas classics.

Despite being largely overlooked, Get Santa is a...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 12/22/2024
  • by Conor McShane
  • MovieWeb
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Elander Moore, Indy Lewis, Jason Forbes Join ‘King & Conqueror’ Series as Filming Wraps in Iceland
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Elander Moore (Kaos, Interview with the Vampire) and Jason Forbes (My Lady Jane, A Gentleman in Moscow) have joined the cast of the BBC and CBS’ joint period project King & Conqueror, about the Battle of Hastings.

They join a previously confirmed star-studded line-up including James Norton as Harold, Earl of Wessex, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, Emily Beecham as Edith Swan-neck, Harold’s wife, and Clémence Poésy as Matilda, William’s spouse.

As the series officially wraps filming in Iceland, the latest cast news also includes Indy Lewis (Industry, La Fortuna), Ines Asserson (Royalteen, Skam), and Sveinn Ólafur Gunnarsson (Heartstone, Summerlight…And Then Comes The Night) alongside the already-announced Eddie Marsan, Juliet Stevenson, Jean-Marc Barr, Luther Ford, Geoff Bell, Elliot Cowan, Bo Bragason, Bjarne Henriksen, Olivier Masucci, and Clare Holman.

Moore stars as Morcar, the son of the Earl of Mercia, one-third of England’s power, and heir to the Mercian Earldom,...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
  • 7/15/2024
  • by Lily Ford
  • The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘The Crown’s’ Luther Ford, ‘Game of Thrones’ Actor Joseph Mawle and More Join Period Drama ‘King & Conqueror’ (Exclusive)
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CBS Studios and the BBC’s period drama series “King & Conqueror” has revealed additional cast members, including “The Crown’s” Luther Ford and “Game of Thrones” actor Joseph Mawle, as it begins production in Iceland.

According to its official plot description, “King & Conqueror” is “the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years, the roots of which stretch back decades and extend out through a pair of interconnected family dynasties, struggling for power across two countries and a raging sea. Harold of Wessex and William of Normandy were two men destined to meet at the Battle of Hastings in 1066; two allies with no design on the British throne, who found themselves forced by circumstance and personal obsession into a war for possession of its crown.”

Additional cast members include Eddie Marsan, Juliet Stevenson, Jean-Marc Barr, Geoff Bell, Elliot Cowan,...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 3/18/2024
  • by Ellise Shafer and K.J. Yossman
  • Variety Film + TV
‘The Quiet Migration’: first trailer for Berlinale Panorama title (exclusive)
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Follows a 19-year-old who’s torn between his adoptive life in Denmark and his native homeland of South Korea

Screen can reveal the trailer for Malene Choi’s The Quiet Migration which will world premiere in Berlinale Panorama on Friday (February 17).

Choi’s fiction feature debut follows a 19-year-old who’s torn between his adoptive life in Denmark and his native homeland of South Korea.

Maria Møller Kjeldgaard produces The Quiet Migration for Denmark’s Manna Film. TrustNordisk is handling international sales.

The cast is led by Cornelius Won Riedel-Clausen, with Bodil Jørgensen (The Kingdom Exodus) and Bjarne Henriksen (The Killing...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 2/16/2023
  • by Ellie Calnan
  • ScreenDaily
‘The Quiet Migration’: first trailer for Berlinale Panorama title
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Follows a 19-year-old who’s torn between his adoptive life in Denmark and his native homeland of South Korea

Screen can reveal the trailer for Malene Choi’s The Quiet Migration which will world premiere in Berlinale Panorama on Friday (February 17).

Choi’s fiction feature debut follows a 19-year-old who’s torn between his adoptive life in Denmark and his native homeland of South Korea.

Maria Møller Kjeldgaard produces The Quiet Migration for Denmark’s Manna Film. TrustNordisk is handling international sales.

The cast is led by Cornelius Won Riedel-Clausen, with Bodil Jørgensen (The Kingdom Exodus) and Bjarne Henriksen (The Killing...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 2/16/2023
  • by Ellie Calnan
  • ScreenDaily
TrustNordisk boards Berlinale Panorama selection ‘The Quiet Migration’ (exclusive)
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Danish filmmaker Malene Choi previously directed The Return.

TrustNordisk has boarded international sales for The Quiet Migration, which will have its world premiere in Berlinale Panorama.

Malene Choi writes and directs in her fiction feature debut, after previously making the hybrid documentary-fiction project The Return, which premiered at Rotterdam in 2018.

The drama is about Carl, 19, who lives a quiet life in the Danish countryside with his adoptive parents, who expect him to take over the family farm one day. But he begins to feel the pull of two worlds – his Danish home and his native homeland, South Korea. The cast...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 12/15/2022
  • by Wendy Mitchell
  • ScreenDaily
Berlinale Reveals First Panorama, Generation Titles For 2023 Edition
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The Berlin Film Festival has revealed the first tranche of titles for its Panorama and Generation strands.

The Panorama lineup includes films from Ukraine, Yemen and about Iran. Of the 14 films selected, 11 are world premieres. There are new films by Sepideh Farsi, Jennifer Reeder, Tina Satter, Sacha Polak, Malene Choi and Ira Sachs.

The films selected for the Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus competitions include nine shorts and nine features, including 11 world premieres.

Stars featured in titles across the strands include Willem Dafoe, Ben Whishaw, Adèle Exarchopoulous, Leon Dai and Sydney Sweeney.

The festival takes place Feb. 16-26, 2023.

Panorama Titles

“Al Murhaqoon” (“The Burdened”)

by Amr Gamal. With Khaled Hamdan, Abeer Mohammed, Samah Alamrani, Awsam Abdulrahman, Shahd Algonfedy

Yemen/Sudan/Saudi Arabia

“Au cimetière de la pellicule” (“The Cemetery of Cinema”)

by Thierno Souleymane Diallo

France/Senegal/Guinea/Saudi Arabia

“El castillo” (“The Castle”)

by Martín Benchimol. With Justina Olivo,...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 12/15/2022
  • by Naman Ramachandran
  • Variety Film + TV
‘The Killing,’ ‘Chernobyl’ Actors to Star in New Dark-Edged Danish Drama ‘Prisoner,’ Dr Sales Boards Series (Exclusive)
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Danish Broadcaster Dr has ordered “Prisoner,” a dark-edged premium series which starts shooting this fall with a stellar local cast including Sofie Gråbøl and David Dencik (“Chernobyl”).

“Prisoner” was created by Kim Fupz Aakeson, whose credits include the Dr drama “Cry Wolf” and the HBO series “Utmark.” Michael Noer (“Papillon”) and Frederik Louis Hviid are set to direct.

Produced by Dr Drama, the series is told from the perspectives of four prison officers, Sammi, Henrik, Miriam, and Gert, who are colleagues in an old, worn-down Danish prison and face daily challenges and dilemmas. The story kicks off when they are forced to do a thorough investigation in the prison to save their jobs and prevent the hierarchy and drug trade from dominating the workplace within three months. The investigation turns into a battle for survival — not only for the prison but for everyone inside and outside the walls.

Dr Sales...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 8/23/2022
  • by Elsa Keslassy
  • Variety Film + TV
Danish director Malene Choi shooting second feature ‘The Quiet Migration’ (exclusive)
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Filming began on August 30 and runs until October 8.

Danish filmmaker Malene Choi has started production on her new feature The Quiet Migration, in the countryside on the Djursland peninsula in Denmark.

Filming began on August 30, and will continue until October 8.

Choi’s last feature was the 2018 documentary/fiction hybrid The Return, which world premiered in Rotterdam and played dozens of other festivals including Goteborg, Vilnius, Cph:dox, Hot Docs, Seattle, New Horizons and Edinburgh.

The Quiet Migration, her first fully fictional feature, also looks at the consequences and complexity of transnational adoption, as seen in the story of Carl, originally from...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 9/16/2021
  • by Wendy Mitchell
  • ScreenDaily
Dr Sales Scores Deals on Hit Danish Drama ‘Cry Wolf’ (Exclusive)
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Dr Sales, the distribution division of Denmark’s public broadcaster Dr, has closed a raft of deals on “Cry Wolf,” a searing social drama created by Maja Jul Larsen (“Borgen”) and co-directed by Pernille Fischer Christensen (“Becoming Astrid”).

The eight-episode limited series tells the intense and emotional story of a teenage girl who has written a vivid school essay detailing her stepfather’s physical assaults. The parents deny the accusations and take their own daughter to court, creating some ambiguity as to whether this abuse occurred as described. The show is set against the backdrop of Denmark’s rigid child protection process.

Since premiering on Oct. 11 on Dr’s primetime slot, “Cry Wolf” has drawn a consistent average of over a million viewers.

Dr Sales, which is taking part in the virtual Content London market, has sold the show to France (Salto), Telefonica (Spain), Sbs (Australia), Belgium (Betv), Telepool (Germany...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 11/30/2020
  • by Elsa Keslassy
  • Variety Film + TV
Cry Wolf (2020)
Series Mania: ‘Cry Wolf’ Showrunners on Complexities of Abuse Allegations
Cry Wolf (2020)
Contrasting human paradoxes and complexities against the cold rationality of Scandinavian civic institutions, the Danish series “Cry Wolf” presents a searing social drama built from an initially ambiguous premise.

Presented as part of Series Mania’s Buyer’s Showcase after having been selected for the festival’s international competition, the Dr Drama-produced series tracks the cascading aftershocks once a 14-year-old girl writes an essay detailing her stepfather’s physical assaults.

While the veracity of those claims – at least for the first few episodes – remains unclear, the accusations set off a sequence of events that builds with grim inevitability. Beleaguered social worker Lars (Bjarne Henriksen) soon gets involved, placing young adolescent Holly (Flora Ofelia Hofman Lindahl) and her younger brother into foster care, all while the girl’s parents (Christine Albeck Børge and Peter Plaugborg) strenuously deny the charges, eventually taking their own daughter to court.

“I was fascinated by social services,...
See full article at Variety Film + TV
  • 3/26/2020
  • by Ben Croll
  • Variety Film + TV
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson in Trapped (2015)
TWC acquires Icelandic TV drama 'Trapped'
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson in Trapped (2015)
Icelandic TV drama Trapped, which has been picked up by the BBC, is set to launch in the Us after it was acquired by The Weinstein Company.

Harvey Weinstein’s production and distribution firm struck the deal with distributor Dynamic Television.

It will now shop the series, which is produced by Everest director Baltasar Kormakur, to Us broadcasters and online streaming services.

The deal was announced at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Trapped made its world premiere as part of the festival’s new television line-up.

Speaking after the premiere, Kormakur said that he was extremely proud that an Icelandic drama would air around the world, including in the UK where it will air on BBC4.

“We’ve never had a TV series in Iceland that has gone further than the Faroe Islands. We’re jealous of our neighbours in Denmark and now we get to play along and that’s very important. I’ve been...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 9/15/2015
  • ScreenDaily
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson in Trapped (2015)
Weinstein Company acquires Icelandic drama
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson in Trapped (2015)
Icelandic drama Trapped, which has been picked up by the BBC, is set to launch in the Us after it was acquired by The Weinstein Company.

Harvey Weinstein’s production and distribution firm struck the deal with distributor Dynamic Television.

It will now shop the series, which is produced by Everest director Baltasar Kormakur, to Us broadcasters and online streaming services.

The deal was announced at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Trapped made its world premiere as part of the festival’s new television line-up.

Speaking after the premiere, Kormakur said that he was extremely proud that an Icelandic drama would air around the world, including in the UK where it will air on BBC4.

“We’ve never had a TV series in Iceland that has gone further than the Faroe Islands. We’re jealous of our neighbours in Denmark and now we get to play along and that’s very important. I’ve been...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 9/15/2015
  • ScreenDaily
Lucía Puenzo in The German Doctor (2013)
Tiff unveils first Primetime roster
Lucía Puenzo in The German Doctor (2013)
Toronto brass on Thursday paid homage to arguably the most dynamic and provocative content format in entertainment, announcing the festival’s inaugural slate of six TV projects from the likes of Baltasar Kormákur, Jason Reitman and Lucía Puenzo.

The selections highlight what Tiff director and CEO Piers Handling called a “cross-pollination” of the film and TV worlds from international storytellers, broadcasters and streaming services.

The six selections appear below. All are world premieres except The Returned, which is an international premiere.

Casual (Us), created by Zander Lehmann and directed by Jason Reitman.

Episodes 1 and 2 of the comedy from Hulu and Lionsgate that follows a dating site entrepreneur and his therapist sister who move in together after the latter’s recent divorce.

Starring Tommy Dewey, Michaela Watkins and Tara Lynne Barr.

Cromo (Argentina), created by Lucía Puenzo and Nicolás Puenzo.

Episodes 1, 2 and 8 of the eco-thriller from directors Lucía Puenzo (Xxy, Wakolda), Pablo Fendrik (Blood Appears, El Ardor) and Nicolás Puenzo...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 8/13/2015
  • by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
  • ScreenDaily
Lucía Puenzo in The German Doctor (2013)
Tiff unveils first Primetime roster
Lucía Puenzo in The German Doctor (2013)
Toronto brass on Thursday paid homage to arguably the most dynamic and provocative content format in entertainment, announcing the festival’s inaugural slate of six TV projects from the likes of Baltasar Kormákur, Jason Reitman and Lucía Puenzo.

The selections highlight what Tiff director and CEO Piers Handling called a “cross-pollination” of the film and TV worlds from international storytellers, broadcasters and streaming services.

The six selections appear below. All are world premieres except The Returned, which is an international premiere.

Casual (Us), created by Zander Lehmann and directed by Jason Reitman.

Episodes 1 and 2 of the comedy from Hulu and Lionsgate that follows a dating site entrepreneur and his therapist sister who move in together after the latter’s recent divorce.

Starring Tommy Dewey, Michaela Watkins and Tara Lynne Barr.

Cromo (Argentina), created by Lucía Puenzo and Nicolás Puenzo.

Episodes 1, 2 and 8 of the eco-thriller from directors Lucía Puenzo (Xxy, Wakolda), Pablo Fendrik (Blood Appears, El Ardor) and Nicolás Puenzo...
See full article at ScreenDaily
  • 8/13/2015
  • by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
  • ScreenDaily
Peter & Wendy casting news
Screenterrier posted details of open casting calls to find Peter, Wendy and Tiger Lily for a new ITV drama based on the classic children's novel Peter Pan by J.M Barrie, now called Peter & Wendy, and the cast has now been announced.

13 year old Hazel Doupe from Ireland, will star in the joint roles of twelve year old Lucy Rose, a patient at modern day Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Wendy Darling, in her re-imagining of Peter Pan story.

Hazel (represented by Macfarlane Chard), who attends Billie Barry Stage School in Dublin, played Sarah in the Rte docu/drama Titanic, Blood and Steel, and starred in Irish thriller Jack Taylor:Shot Down,

Newcomer Zac Sutcliffe (who attends Yorkshire School of Acting) from Bradford, stars as Peter. Zac has just finished filming on Grimsby, a new film from Sacha Baron Cohen.

Natifa Mai (represented by Identity Agency) has been cast in...
See full article at ScreenTerrier
  • 5/14/2015
  • by noreply@blogger.com (ScreenTerrier)
  • ScreenTerrier
Paloma Faith will play Tinkerbell alongside Stanley Tucci in ITV's Peter & Wendy
In this week's most unexpected piece of casting news, Paloma Faith has signed up to play Tinkerbell in ITV's new drama Peter & Wendy.

The singer-songwriter will be joined in the modern day re-imagining of Jm Barrie's Peter Pan by Stanley Tucci, who will play Captain Hook.

Laura Fraser (Breaking Bad) will play Mrs Darling, while newcomers Zac Sutcliffe and Hazel Doupe will play the lead roles.

ITV's two-hour drama will open in Great Ormond Street Hospital in the present day, with 12-year-old Lucy Rose (Doupe) awaiting treatment for a serious heart condition.

When her mother reads her and the other children the tale of Peter Pan, she falls asleep with thoughts of Neverland racing through her mind. She dreams her own version of the story into existence.

The drama will cut back and forth between Lucy Rose's version of Neverland and the struggles she is facing in hospital each day.
See full article at Digital Spy
  • 5/14/2015
  • Digital Spy
Thomas Vinterberg
Cannes film review:'The Celebration'
Thomas Vinterberg
There's a lot to celebrate in Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg's intense competition entry about a large family gathering that starts badly and gets much worse.

Filmed in a herky-jerky style that never grows tiresome and deftly mixing off-color humor with arch drama, "The Celebration" (Festen) rarely slows down to let the strong material sink in, but it's virtuoso filmmaking that should garner fans in subsequent festival exposure, with a U.S. art house release an outside possibility.

In a rural hotel in Denmark, an elaborate party and dinner unfolds in honor of Helge (Henning Moritzen), the family patriarch celebrating his 60th birthday with friends and family. Everyone seems to have gotten past the tragic death of one of his two daughters, Linda, whose twin Christian (Ulrich Thomsen) arrives with a shocking agenda as the attention-getting oldest sibling.

At the outset, tension revolves around youngest son Michael Thomas Bo Larsen), a flamboyant jerk who fights continually with his beleaguered wife (Helle Dolleris) and fiendishly needles sluttish sister Helene (Paprika Steen). Known for his drunken meltdowns, Michael boisterously tries to derail Christian when the latter drops a bomb on the black-tie gathering.

With a few drinks in him and in a deadpan delivery, Christian reveals that both he and his dead twin Linda were sexually abused as children by Helge. Known for his jokes, the father squirms uncomfortably and Christian's initial frontal assault is quickly dismissed by Michael and Helene. But Christian's longtime friend, the hotel chef (Bjarne Henriksen), encourages him to go all the way and arranges for the guests' car keys to be hidden, preventing anyone from leaving even if things get unbearably ugly.

They do. Christian accuses Helge of murdering Linda and is hustled out of the hotel by Michael. He returns to damn his mother (Birthe Neumann) for not stopping her husband. Eventually Linda's farewell letter is read by Helene and there's no longer any doubt. Passing out from the enormous amount of wine he's imbibed, Christian has a mystical experience and encounters Linda's ghost, which haunts the hotel.

The film is crowded with ancillary characters and relationships, including Helene's black English-speaking boyfriend (Gbatokai Dakinah) and Christian and Michael's former lovers now working as maids in the hotel. Seemingly headed toward a grim resolution, the film manages an upbeat finale that leaves one curiously unsatisfied, but still bowled over by the daring and well-paced ensemble project with all-around engaging performances.

Festen

(The Celebration)

Nimbus Film APS

CREDITS:

Director--Thomas Vinterberg

Screenwriters--Thomas Vinterberg, Morgens Rukov

Producer--Birgitte Hald

Director of photography--Anthony Dod Mantle

Second camera--Peter Hjorth

Editor--Valdis Oskarsdottir

Sound designer--Morten Holm

CAST:

Christian--Ulrich Thomsen

Helge--Henning Moritzen

Michael--Thomas Bo Larsen

Helene--Paprika Steen

Elsa--Birthe Neumann

Mette--Helle Dolleris

Kim--Bjarne Henriksen

Gbatokai--Gbatokai Dakinah

Color/stereo

Running time -- 105 minutes...
  • 5/19/1998
  • The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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