Currently in post-production, Red Joan will tell the story of the Jennie Rooney novel of the same name, inspired by the incredible true story of a woman who was accused of being the longest-serving British spy in the KGB. In the movie, filmmakers made the brilliant choice to have both Judi Dench and Sophie Cookson play the central role of Joan Stanley. You can now see a first look image of both Dench and Cookson as Joan below:
Joined in the suspenseful flick by incredible talents including Stephen Campbell Moore, Tom Hughes, Ben Miles and Tereza Srbova, Red Joan looks to be one of the most exciting dramas of the year. Taking place in both 2000 and 1938, there will be plenty of exciting history to dig through, as viewers delve into the story of one incredible woman.
1938 sees Joan as a Cambridge physics student, falling for young communist Leo Galich (Hughes) and seeing the world in a new light thanks to her association with him.
Later, Joan would go to work at a top secret nuclear research facility during the Second World War, realising that the world is on the brink of destruction and confronted with the question of exactly what the world would have to pay for peace. Choosing between betraying her country and loved ones, or saving them, she faces a huge moral dilemma.
Cut to 2000, and Joan (Dench) is living in retirement at the turn of the millennium. Enjoying a tranquil life, she’s suddenly disrupted by MI5 who arrest her and accuse her of supplying British intelligence to Communist Russia.
Trevor Nunn directs the film, with David Parfitt producing and Ivan Mactaggart and Alice Dawson serving as co-producers. Lindsay Shapero is responsible for the movie’s script, whilst Lionsgate is handling the film’s release in the UK. Embankment Films is handling worldwide sales.
Red Joan is expected to come to cinemas across the UK a little later this year.
Tagged in Dame Judi Dench