Barbie star Marisa Abela is currently the frontrunner to portray Amy Winehouse in Back to Black, an upcoming biopic focusing on the life and career of the iconic singer.
According to Variety, producers have been looking for a fresh-faced newcomer, and while the role hasn't been cast yet and a small group of other actors are thought to be in the running, Abela is currently in discussions.
The 25-year-old actress can be seen as Yasmin Kara-Hanani in the London-set financial thriller Industry, which returns for season 2 next month. She was also recently cast in Greta Gerwig's highly-anticipated Barbie film, though her role in the project is under wraps for the time being.
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Abela is of Jewish descent, which was reportedly important to the film's creative team in order to be as true to Amy's own background as possible.
And to answer that million dollar question, the Brighton-born actress can indeed sing and is an alto, which matches Amy's own vocal range.
Back to Black will be directed by Nowhere Boy's Sam Taylor-Johnson, while the Winehouse family will act as executive producers and donate proceeds from the movie to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
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"We now feel able to celebrate Amy's extraordinary life and talent," Amy's father Mitch Winehouse said in a statement. "And we know through the Amy Winehouse Foundation that the true story of her illness can help so many others who might be experiencing similar issues."
Monumental Pictures' Alison Owen and Debra Hayward, who are on board to produce the project, added: "We're proud that Mitch Winehouse has entrusted us with the story of amazing Amy, an icon whose songs have provided the soundtrack to a generation."
Back to Black does not have a release schedule yet. Barbie will be released in cinemas on July 21, 2023.
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Social Executive, Entertainment Portfolio After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022, where she wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona continued contributing to the site as a freelance reporter, becoming social executive for the Hearst UK entertainment portfolio in summer 2025. Iona now leads the DS social channels, covering red carpets with stars such as Paul Mescal, Austin Butler, and more.
