Oscar-nominated actor Richard E Grant has been cast in the film adaptation of hit West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
The Can You Ever Forgive Me? star will play seasoned drag queen Loco Chanelle in the story of a teenage boy who decides to attend his school prom in drag.
Grant’s character will mentor Jamie, who encounters bullies and prejudice as he grapples with his identity.
The lead role is due to be played by an unknown actor named Max Harwood, while theatre star Shobna Gulati will reprise her stage role as Jamie’s best friend Ray.
Catastrophe creator and writer Sharon Horgan has also been cast, along with Happy Valley actor Sarah Lancashire, who is due to play Jamie’s mum.
Grant even tweeted a video of himself practising his dancing in heels, ahead of his casting announcement.
The show (and film) is based on a true story in Newcastle, but both are set in Sheffield. Filming begins for the film this month.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie first opened as a smash Sheffield musical in 2017, before moving to London, and has been nominated for five Olivier Awards.
There's currently no release date, but it's expected to arrive in 2020.
