The extraordinary life of acclaimed actor and ex-boxer Johnny Harris is to be portrayed on the big screen, as a semi-autobiographical drama is in the pipeline at Emu Films.   

As well as starring, Harris makes his screenwriting debut with the as-yet-untitled drama, which is currently eyeing a spring start to shooting. 

Make sure you’re following this on Production Intelligence from 27 October, as we have also confirmed the casting director and likely shooting locations.  

Also making his feature debut is director Thomas Napper, who will work alongside producer Mike Elliott of Emu Films (Catch Me Daddy, The Goob) and exec producers Andrew Eaton of Revolution and Christine Langan of BBC Films.  

Harris has won critical plaudits for his many acting roles, most harrowing of which was his portrayal of Mick in This Is England ’86 – a role he reprised twice for director Shane Meadows.  He has also recently appeared in Fortitude, From Darkness, Welcome to the Punch and The Fades.  

Harris was a teenage boxing champion, but went on to battle depression, alcoholism and even homelessness before his acting career took off. He is joined in the film by Ray Winstone and Michael Smiley.  

Make sure you’re following this on PI (listed as Untitled Johnny Harris boxing drama) as we will be updating as more HoDs are confirmed over the coming months.  

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