After being nominated for an Oscar for her first ever major movie, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Maria Bakalova has now landed her first lead film role.
The Bulgarian actress played Borat's daughter Tutar in Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy sequel, and as well as picking up an Academy Award nomination, she was also recognised at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs and won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Now, Bakalova will be a central star of upcoming rom-com The Honeymoon, appearing alongside Pico Alexander (Home Again), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing) and Lucas Bravo (Emily in Paris).
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In the movie, Englishman Adam and his American bride Sarah head to Venice, Italy for their honeymoon. However, their trip of a lifetime is interrupted by Adam's needy best friend Ed, turning their lovers' vacation into a nightmare.
The film is written and to be directed by Dean Craig.
Bakalova said (via Deadline): "This film intrigued me because it's an escapist comedy that put a twist on the classic buddy movie format by including a strong female character, particularly from Eastern Europe.
"I think after almost two years of this pandemic, we're all looking for something to lift our spirits and help us mentally escape our apartments. Very glad to be on the producing team of the film as well."
Related: Who is Maria Bakalova, Borat 2's breakout star?
As well as The Honeymoon, Bakalova will star alongside Karen Gillan and Pedro Pascal in Judd Apatow's new comedy film The Bubble about a group of actors trying to finish a film in the pandemic.
Bakalova has also been cast in new slasher film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, also starring Amandla Stenberg and Pete Davidson.
Adam Silverstein is a freelance sub-editor and writer at Digital Spy, and he specialises in music, TV and movies.
