The film is set in post-First World War Britain and tells of a forbidden love affair between Jane Fairchild, a young maid working in a grand house, and Paul, an upper class gentleman, who is engaged to be married. Sọpẹ́ Dìrísù plays the pivotal role of Donald, an academic philosopher who meets, falls in love with and marries Jane later in her life when she is an aspiring author. The film is based on the 2016 novel by Booker Prize winning author Graham Swift with screenplay by Normal People screenwriter Alice Birch.
The film had its world premiere at Cannes in July and its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in October and is on general release in UK cinemas from Friday 12th November. Critics have described the film as 'exquisite' (The Times) and 'remarkable' (The Telegraph), with the Daily Mail calling it 'gorgeous, passionate and beautifully crafted'.
Sọpẹ́ stars alongside an impressive cast including Odessa Young as Jane, Josh O'Connor as Paul, with Colin Firth and Olivia Colman as Mr & Mrs Niven, Jane's wealthy employers who are grieving the loss of both their sons in the war.
In a recent interview about the role, Sọpẹ́ said, "part of the magic of performance is being transported, and you get that a bit more viscerally when you’re doing a period drama than when you’re doing a modern-day piece". He continued to talk about how much he enjoyed making this film, "We want to work with people who inspire us, we want to work on stories that we’re really excited to tell".
Watch the trailer here.
Sọpẹ́ is available for voiceovers from Anthea Represents. Click his image for his profile page and voiceover showreel.
