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Ella Purnell, the Brit star best known for lead roles in “Fallout,” “Sweetpea” and “Yellowjackets,” is joining Nicholas Galitzine in upcoming feature “The Return of Stanley Atwell.”
The film, described as as seductive thriller, comes from Hera Pictures, the Oscar-nominated and BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning production company behind “Hamnet,” and co-produced with John Gore Studios.
Written and directed by Brian Welsh (“Beats,” “Black Mirror”), “The Return of Stanley Atwell” is based on an original story by Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, who also serves as executive producer. The film marks Welsh’s second collaboration with Soderbergh following their acclaimed debut “Beats,” and his second collaboration with Liza Marshall and Hera Pictures after the acclaimed BBC drama “What It Feels Like for a Girl.”
The story follows Stanley Atwell (Galitzine), the presumed dead son and heir to Lord Atwell’s title and fortune, after he 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. As per the synopsis, “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?”
“Ella has an incredible ability to move between vulnerability, humour and danger,” says Welsh. “She’s a wonderfully versatile actor and I’m thrilled to have her joining Nicholas in ‘The Return of Stanley Atwell.’ It’s a brilliant combination and I look forward to seeing Ella make the role her own.”
Added Hera founder Marshall: “Ella is a remarkable talent whose performances are consistently both mercurial and deeply affecting. We’re thrilled she’s leading the film alongside Nicholas and can’t wait to see her bring Pamela to life.”
Filming on “The Return of Stanley Atwell” is soon to begin in the U.K. and Malta.
“Ella Purnell brings a magnetic screen presence, remarkable emotional nuance, and an instinct for making complex characters feel utterly authentic,” said John Gore, founder of John Gore Studios. “We are thrilled to have her onboard. We’re also delighted to be collaborating with Hera Pictures and Brian Welsh on such a bold and provocative story.”
The film is produced by Marshall for Hera Pictures and Gore for John Gore Studios. Soderbergh serves as executive producer with Hilary Strong and Francis Hopkinson executive producing for John Gore Studios, alongside Protagonist Pictures. The film is produced by Hera Pictures, co-produced and equity financed by John Gore Studios (“The Duchess & I,” “The Queen of Fashion”).
Protagonist Pictures will handle international sales and WME Independent are co-repping U.S. rights.
“The Return of Stanley Atwell” continues an exceptionally busy few years for Purnell, currently seen starring in season two of video game adaptation “Fallout” on Amazon Prime Video. Meanwhile, the first look from season two of the Sky and Starz dark thriller series “Sweetpea,” for which she also serves as an executive producer and is due out later this year, has just been revealed. She’s also set to appear in the British comedy horror film “The Scurry” alongside Paapa Essiedu and was recently cast in the rom-com “That Time We Met” alongside Pete Davidson.
Purnell is repped by WME, Range Media Partners, Curtis Brown Group. Shelter PR and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
English (US) ·