Toby Jones has a "thoroughly entertaining" new UK murder mystery movie on the way that you'll want to keep an eye out for – and it comes with a difference from the usual format.
Flavia is based on the 2009 novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery by Canadian writer Alan Bradley, which forms part of the Flavia de Luce Mysteries series.
The Sky Cinema movie is unique in that instead of an adult sleuth, it follows a precocious 11-year old amateur detective (played by newcomer Molly Belle Wright) who must use her wits when a dead body is found in her manor house and her father is accused of the murder.
The original book was the first entry in Bradley's book series, which has since spawned a further 10 entries – the most recent of which, What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust, was published last year. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie also won a number of awards, including The Debut Dagger Award, The Agatha Award and The Dilys Award.
Flavia comes from director Bharat Nalluri, who has helmed movies such as Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day as well as episodes of Spooks and Life on Mars, and writer Susan Coyne, who previously worked with Nalluri on The Man Who Invented Christmas and has also written for Slings and Arrows and Daisy Jones & The Six.
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Paula Mazur, Mitchell Kaplan, Robert Mickelson are on board as producers, while Dave Bishop and George Hamilton are producing for Protagonist Pictures – who have worked previously on the likes of The Brutalist and The Outrun.
The movie's full synopsis reads: "When Flavia finds a dead body at her decaying British manor house and her father is accused of the murder, Flavia dives into her own wild and fearless investigation, unearthing long held family secrets and pitting herself against the true murderer."
Bishop described the lead character of Flavia as "a most charming and resourceful heroine with an insatiable curiosity in her fearless pursuit of the truth", adding: "We have no doubt this amateur detective will become a firm family favorite as she jumps from page to screen.
"Full of mystery, suspense and humor and rounded out with a fantastic cast, this is exactly the type of film audiences are craving for and we are honored to be launching Flavia’s first big screen adventure into the marketplace."
"Molly is surrounded by such an amazing cast and under Bharat's skilled direction, the first of the Flavia de Luce mystery stories is bursting into life as a thoroughly entertaining film that will appeal to the whole family," added Protagonist CCO Hamilton.
Who's in Flavia?
Alongside Jones and Wright, Flavia packs an impressive wider cast too, which includes Black Panther and The Responder's Martin Freeman as Havilland De Luce. Also on board are:
• Annette Badland (Ted Lasso)
• Jonathan Pryce (Slow Horses)
• Karan Gill (Screw)
• Hannah New (Bridgerton) as Harriet De Luce
• Ariella Glaser (Radioactive) as Ophelia De Luce
• Tallulah Conabeare (The Outlaws) as Daphne De Luce
• Michael Culkin (The Crown) as Dr Darby
• Jamie Beamish (Bridgerton) as Horace Bonepenny
• Marama Corlett (Black Mirror) as Zamirah
• Max Cortezi (The Duel) as Private Jones
When will Flavia be released?
A premiere date and window is yet to be confirmed, though we do know that the movie will be released on Sky Cinema in the UK.
Filming on the project wrapped up last November, so we could possibly see Flavia released later in 2025.
Flavia is yet to confirm an official release date, though will be released on Sky Cinema in the UK.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
