Hear Me Roar, an upcoming British movie, will spotlight a landmark trans marriage ruling.
Directed by Amy Coop, the film stars Anna Friel, Christopher Eccleston and Emma Thompson, who have joined protagonist Rebecca Root (via Deadline).
The movie is inspired by the real-life story of Elizabeth Bellinger, played by Root.
In the 1980s, Bellinger became one of the first transgender people to get married in the UK. She kept the ceremony mostly secret until 2000 when she started a campaign to have her marriage to Michael Bellinger legally recognised.
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The case subsequently went to court, with Bellinger represented by barrister Ashley Bayston, who co-wrote the movie with Lisa McMullin.
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Thompson is set to play the judge in the case, Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, whilst Friel will portray Bayston and Eccleston will be Elizabeth's husband. Cast for the film is rounded out by Bridgerton star Julian Ovenden.
"I'm weeping like a baby, it's so moving and powerful and funny," Thompson said of the movie. "It's a great story and script with wonderful characters – I just loved it and it moved me deeply. I think it's both fascinating and profoundly meaningful and essential."
"It's a privilege to be working with such a great team to tell this incredible story, an overlooked part of modern British History that represented a seismic shift for LGBTQ+ people," Coop added.
The film doesn't currently have a release date.
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Meanwhile, Eccleston will next be seen in Cold War biopic Whispers of Freedom from director Brandon Ashplant.
Based on a true story and set in East Berlin in the 1980s, Whispers of Freedom follows a young East German named Chris Gueffroy (played by Cameron Ashplant), the last person who was shot and the second-last person to die whilst attempting to flee to the West across the Berlin Wall.
The Doctor Who star will appear in voice only as East German radio personality Herbert Köfer, with the cast also featuring Thomas W. Gabrielsson, Wendy Makkena, Darragh Cowley and Paul Freeman.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
