Theatre News

Richard E Grant, Sarah Lancashire, Shobna Gulati and more cast in Everybody's Talking About Jamie film

Film4 has confirmed the casting news with Max Harwood taking on the lead role

Sarah Lancashire, Richard E Grant and Shobna Gulati
Sarah Lancashire, Richard E Grant and Shobna Gulati
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Film4 has unveiled the cast for the new film adaptation of Everybody's Talking About Jamie.

The lead role of Jamie New will be played by newcomer Max Harwood, who is currently studying at Urdang Academy. Harwood, from Basingstoke, makes his professional debut in the film. He was selected following an open casting call, with 20 young locals from Sheffield cast in the film.

Richard E Grant (Withnail and I) will take on the role of Hugo / Loco Chanel, with Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) playing Margaret New, Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe) as Miss Hedge and Shobna Gulati playing Ray, after having taken on the role in the West End.

The film is directed by Jonathan Butterell, who directed the original stage show, with Tom MacRae writing the screenplay. Filming begins in Sheffield on 24 June.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie originally opened in Sheffield and is currently running at the Apollo Theatre.

It is based on the real-life story of Jamie Campbell who decided he wanted to be a drag queen as a teenager and his mother Margaret who supports him. Last year it won three WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical and was nominated for five Olivier Awards.