Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù Joins Mothering Sunday Cast With Olivia Colman, Colin Firth

Gangs of London actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù is set to join the cast of the feature film Eva Husson’s Mothering Sunday. The news was announced today by the film’s producers Elizabeth Karlsen and Stephen Woolley of Number 9 Films.

Dìrísù joins the previously announced cast including Odessa Young, BAFTA nominee Josh O’Connor, Oscar winners Colin Firth and Olivia Colman.

The news also confirmed the film has also started it’s principal photography. Lionsgate UK has acquired the UK distribution rights for the film and is planning a theatrical release sometime in 2021.

The film centres on March 30, 1924 in Beechwood, England. Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young), a maid in the Niven household, has the day off to celebrate Mothering Sunday while Mr. and Mrs. Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman) attend a lunch to celebrate the engagement of their neighbour’s only remaining son, Paul (Josh O’Connor). Although Jane rejoices at her freedom on an unseasonably hot, beautiful spring day, she has no mother to go to—and for almost seven years she has, joyfully and without shame, been Paul’s lover. Like the Nivens, Paul belongs to England’s old- monied social class, whereas Jane was orphaned at birth. With the house conveniently empty, they can finally meet in Paul’s bedroom for the first time. Today will be their last as lovers. It is also the day that will mark the beginning of Jane’s transformation.

Dìrísù will play the role of Donald, a significant figure in Jane’s later life.

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù is quickly establishing himself as an internationally renowned actor, showcasing a range of disciplines across film, television and theatre. Upcoming projects include the AMC/SKY action series, Gangs of London, which has already been slated for a second season with a global launch; Remi Weekes’ horror/thriller, His House, launching globally on October 30, 2020; as the voice of ‘Sergi’ in the second season of HBO/BBC’s His Dark Materials; as well as his role in the ensemble cast of Camille Griffin’s holiday comedy, Silent Night . Dìrísù will also soon begin lensing Emma Holly Jones’ romantic comedy, Mr.Malcolm’s List.

Producers Elizabeth Karlsen and  Stephen Woolley commented: “We’ve been following Ṣọpẹ́’s career as an actor in theatre, film and television for some time – he gave a standout performance as Biff in Marianne Elliot’s Death of a Salesman, and along with director Eva Husson we believe he will make a fantastic Donald in Alice Birch’s adaptation of Graham’s novel. His versatility and skill will be a great asset in playing a character whose age range spans across two decades, and we are very excited to add him to an already exceedingly talented cast.”

The film is written by Emmy nominee Alice Birch (Normal People, Succession) and is based on the critically acclaimed and best-selling novel of the same name by Graham Swift.

The film has been developed with support from Film4 and the BFI awarding National Lottery funding, with financing from Film4, BFI and Lipsync. Film4 retain UK free TV broadcast rights.