In an early deal of what promises to be a busy Cannes, Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. rights for writer-director Frances O’Connor’s (A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Mansfield Park) directorial debut Emily, revealing Emily Brontë’s own romantic story in the lead up to her seminal novel, Wuthering Heights. Bleecker Street is planning a 2023 theatrical release. Warner Bros. will release the film wide throughout UK cinemas. 

Emily imagines the transformative, exhilarating and uplifting journey to womanhood of one of the world’s most famous, enigmatic and passionate writers. 

BAFTA nominee Emma Mackey (“Sex Education”, Barbie) leads a cast of vibrant young British talent, including Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk, The Duke), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man, Mr. Malcolm’s List), Alexandra Dowling (The Musketeers) and Amelia Gething (The Spanish Princess) as well as BAFTA nominee Gemma Jones (Ammonite, Rocketman) and Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty). 

The acquisition was negotiated by Bleecker Street’s Head of Acquisitions, Kent Sanderson with Avy Eschenasy on behalf of Bleecker Street alongside Embankment, who serve as Executive Producers and are handling global sales. 

Emily is produced by Piers Tempest (Military Wives, Ordinary Love, The Wife), David Barron (the Harry Potter franchise, Cinderella, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) and with Robert Connolly and Robert Patterson of Arenamedia (The Dry, Paper Planes). Peter Touche is an Executive Producer for Ingenious who provided funding.