Onward and Sideways, the "touching" new Norfolk-set drama from the BBC, has unveiled a first look at its "exceptional cast". Previously titled But When We Dance, the feature-length drama stars Laura Linney alongside Rhys Ifans as two strangers brought together by their shared experience of Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and motor function.
Set and filmed in north Norfolk, Ifans stars as Tony Evans, the deputy head of a local primary school, while Linney plays Emma Dretzin, a pianist, composer and single mother of two daughters.
Per the official synopsis: "Neither knows the other until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives: on the same morning, they are both confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson's."
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A newly released image offers a first look at Ifans and Linney in character, with the two seen enjoying a walk on the beach.
Written by Paul Mayhew-Archer and directed by John Madden, the 90-minute drama co-stars Monica Dolan and Rory Kinnear.
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Onward and Sideways will be released in cinemas as well as on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, though the release date has yet to be confirmed.
Speaking about the drama, Hilary Bevan Jones, producer for Hilltop Screen, said: "Paul’s wonderful script has made me laugh, cry, and think about all that life has to offer.
"I hope this film will strike a chord with everyone, and I am thrilled that the peerless John Madden has brought together such an exceptional cast. Rhys and Laura will make a Tony and Emma who will touch the hearts of us all."
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Mayhew-Archer, who also stars in the film, said: "In 2011, when I was 58 years old, I was told I had Parkinson's.
"It’s incurable and it makes many of the things I do - walking, talking, smiling - increasingly difficult. But though I have reasons to hate Parkinson's, it has also brought me opportunities I wouldn’t have missed for the world.
"The latest of these is the chance to work with the brilliant director John Madden and wonderful actors on bringing this story to life. So, thank you Parkinson’s. My fingers may fumble, my mouth may mumble and each step I take may result in a stumble. But I cannot grumble."
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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.
