In a presentation delivered to buyers this week during the virtual American Film Market, the stars of biopic “McCarthy,” Michael Shannon and Emilia Clarke, as well as its director Václav Marhoul and screenwriter Tom O’Connor, explained why the story of the venomous demagogue Joseph McCarthy had to be told now.

The film, now in development, follows McCarthy’s journey from being an ambitious Republican Senator to the most powerful and feared man in the U.S., culminating in a dramatic and absolute ruin.

“Given that McCarthy is such a darkly iconic figure in our history I was shocked that there had never been a film made about him,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor relied on research to tease out details of McCarthy’s origin story, such as his fascination with Adolf Hitler. “Being from Wisconsin, with a heavy German population, McCarthy had been given a copy of ‘Mein Kampf’ by one of his supporters, and came to really study Hitler’s techniques, particularly the big lie.”

Shannon, who plays McCarthy, said: “I had never stopped to consider the humanness of Jo McCarthy. I’d never even stopped to consider where he’d come from, how he was formed.”

He added: “I was fascinated to learn that he had been a boxer and that he had been in the marines. I think that physicality feeds into the strength of how he was able to convince people.

“Throughout the course of this story one thing that will dawn on the audience is how did a man this flawed and conflicted manage to pull the wool over so many people’s eyes.”

The film also shines a light of the part played by McCarthy’s politically ambitious wife, Jean Kerr. The role will be performed by Clarke, who said: “There have been parallels drawn between her and Lady Macbeth, and there is a calculated-ness to her that will allow her to be in a position of power at a time when no woman ever was going to get into that position of power.”

Clarke said of the screenplay: “It’s fascinating, and it’s nuanced, and it’s complicated, and it’s alarmingly familiar.”

She added: “I have to be a part of telling this story now so I can take some time and better understand what is it about politics that gets particular people to be incredibly persuasive.”

“We have so many Jo McCarthys around us at the moment,” said Marhoul. Continue reading  »

The Seagull with Emilia Clarke has announced new plans for its West End run.

The piece, adapted from Chekhov by Anya Reiss, had to close in previews last March but is now back for a full run. It follows a group of characters, all based at an isolated house in the country, that console each other as their dreams fall apart.

The piece will star Emilia Clarke (Nina), Tom Rhys Harries (Trigorin), Daniel Monks (Konstantin), Indira Varma (Arkadina) and Sophie Wu (Masha), with Katie Buchholz, Tina Harris and Joseph Langdon. Further cast to be announced.

The show opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 6 July, with previews from 29 June, running until 10 September 2022.

Jamie Lloyd directs, with design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Jackie Shemesh, composition and sound design by George Dennis, projection design by Duncan McLean, associate direction by Jonathan Glew, casting direction by Stuart Burt, costume supervision by Anna Josephs and props supervision by Fahmida Bakht.

The news comes as Cyrano de Bergerac also confirms a return to UK stages. Lloyd said today, “It is incredibly exciting to confirm the return of these productions and, most importantly, the continuation of our access ticket schemes, with 12,000 £15 seats across the productions and 5000 totally free tickets, which will enable people with limited access to the theatre to experience our work — an important commitment as our industry builds back. Continue reading  »

Director Václav Marhoul (The Painted Bird) has tapped two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals) to star as controversial U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy in the biopic we first revealed last year.

McCarthy will look at the man behind anti-communist doctrine McCarthyism to understand what drove a lawyer and decorated former U.S. Marine down an unprecedented path of demagoguery, show-trials and venomous populism.

Emmy nominee Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Dane DeHaan (The Place Beyond the Pines) and Scoot McNairy (C’mon C’mon) will star together with Shannon.

Clarke will play McCarthy’s politically ambitious wife Jean Kerr; DeHaan will be his ruthless young lawyer Roy Cohn. Pic is slated to go into production in the fall 2022 in Prague and the U.S.

Tom O’Connor (The Hitman’s Bodyguard franchise) wrote the original screenplay. The film is produced by Zach Studin together with O’Connor. Rick McCallum, producer of the three Star Wars films – The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith will executive-produce.

HanWay Films has come on board to handle international sales and distribution of the movie and will commence sales at next month’s virtual American Film Market. CAA Media Finance will oversee the U.S sale.

Marhoul previously played in Competition at the Venice Film Festival for drama The Painted Bird.

Heads of department include cinematographer Vladimír Smutný (The Painted Bird, Kolja) and Emmy award-winning production designer Ján Vlasák (The Painted Bird). Continue reading  »

Emilia Clarke attends the Alexander McQueen SS22 Womenswear show at Tobacco Dock on October 12, 2021 in London. You can go to the gallery to take a look to the photos.

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Emilia Clarke is known for playing some of the strongest female characters on screen. And that inner strength runs into her personal life too. Not only does she juggle the demands of a successful acting career, Emilia also runs SameYou – a charity for young adults recovering from brain injuries and stroke.

More recently, the 34-year-old’s bright smile, enviable brows and flawless skin have seen her step into a role as Clinique’s global brand ambassador. While it is a collaboration she says suits her perfectly, as the brand has been a “staple throughout her entire life”, Emilia also makes it clear that she sees beauty as more than just skin deep.

“Beauty comes from your individuality, that’s the essence of it,” she tells marie claire. “People are at their most radiant and most beautiful when they are doing what is the right fit for them.”

Emilia is a trailblazer for “less is more” when it comes to her beauty routine, but is at an age where she is looking for products that work smarter. She recently added Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Serum to her regimen – a high-performance, anti-ageing serum that combats fine lines and wrinkles and helps her streamline her routine.

“It’s a thing when you are at the point in your life when you’re like, ‘OK, I’m going to buy a product that says wrinkle on it’,” she shares.

MC’s beauty director Sally Hunwick caught up with Emilia to chat about her skincare philosophy, the products that work for her, and why she thinks laughter is self-care for the soul.

Sally: How important is keeping your skin in check?

Emilia: Massively! When I was little, my mum taught me to cleanse, tone and moisturise. It’s always been my thing. I’m also that weirdo that even when I’m drunk I remove my makeup and cleanse my face. I’ll wake up feeling awful, but my skin is thanking me! If you have good skin you are golden; everything goes good with good skin. Continue reading  »