Last time Saoirse Ronan starred in an Ian McEwan adaptation, it was for Joe Wright’s Atonement in 2007, a time when the Irish actress was still on the verge of breaking onto the Hollywood scene. Almost a decade later, Ronan has now closed a deal to feature in another of McEwan’s adaptations – On Chesil Beach.
Pulled from the author’s novella of the same name, it’s been revealed that Billy Howle has signed on to star opposite Saoirse Ronan for a story involving sexual repression in the ’60s. Dominic Cooke (The Hollow Crown) is behind the lens, fostering a love story between two young adults, Florence Ponting (Ronan) and Edward Mayhew (Howle), who set about taking the first defining steps into adulthood together. Awkwardness ensues.
Welcoming Howle on board to his budding new feature, Cooke stated: “I’m very excited about working with Billy on this brilliantly written role. He has the perfect mix of charisma, intelligence and vulnerability for Edward and is a subtle and intelligent actor. The chemistry between him and Saoirse is electric and I can’t wait to start working with them both.”
Indeed, Ronan and Howle will have had ample time to get acquainted before the cameras roll On Chesil Beach, as they’re both set to feature in an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s acclaimed play, The Seagull. The actor will also be lighting up the big screen soon in The Sense of an Ending.
No word yet on when Number 9 Films will fire up production On Chesil Beach, but we’ll keep you posted if and when we learn more.
