Nicholas Hoult and Sheridan Smith filming

Nicholas Hoult A major film biopic of JRR Tolkien and a new TV drama starring Sheridan Smith are among the productions gearing up to begin filming next week. 

Nicholas Hoult stars as the iconic author in a biopic simply called Tolkien.

US studio Fox Searchlight is making the film, which is directed by Dome Karukoski from David Gleeson’s screenplay. Lily Collins co-stars. 

The feature reportedly centres on Tolkien’s schooldays at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, and his early years at Oxford during the build-up to the First World War. Tolkien will largely film in the Liverpool area

PI subscribers can log into Production Intelligence for more on the film’s line-up of UK HoDs. 

Sheridan Smith Sheridan Smith makes a return to TV drama with Clean Break, which begins a four-month shoot next week in London. 

Mark Marlow has written the six-parter for ITV, which sees Smith as Sam, an ordinary, working-class mum who becomes caught up in the murky world of insider trading. Chris Fry and Jane Featherstone executive produce for Sister Pictures



For a round-up of key personnel including the DoP and casting director, log into Production Intelligence. Non-subscribers can click here to request a free online demo
 

Nicholas Holt photo via Getty Images Ent/Emma McIntyre.
Sheridan Smith photo via Getty Images Ent/Jeff Spicer/BFC.



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