Thomasin McKenzie and Toby Wallace have signed on to star in Frances O’Connor’s Sister Maria Goes To Rome for the UK’s Embankment.
McKenzie, whose credits include The Testament Of Ann Lee and upcoming Victorian Psycho, will play a spirited young nun with an unshakeable faith, who arrives in Rome on a quest to save her beloved village.
She clashes with a jaded tour guide, played by The Bikeriders’ Wallace, who has lost his way, and an unexpected friendship blossoms.
Los Angeles-based Naomi Despres of Desmar Films and Piers Tempest of the UK’s Tempo Productions produce with Guglielmo Marchetti for Italy’s Notorious Pictures. Michèle Marshall executive produces for Desmar Films.
The Italian shoot begins in spring 2026, with locations throughout Lazio and Rome.
Embankment is handling worldwide sales, co-representing US rights with WME Independent.
UK-Australia filmmaker O’Connor previously partnered with Embankment and Tempo on her feature debut, 2022 Toronto premiere Emily.
“Rome has always been a city of possibility for me from my very first visit many years ago,” said writer-director O’Connor. “I wanted to create an uplifting and fun story for everyone that was about choosing hope, centred around this young nun who was irrepressibly positive.”
“Worldwide cinema audiences are craving warm-hearted, uplifting entertainment right now,” says Hugo Grumbar, a partner at Embankment Films. Sister Maria will have people leaving the cinema with a skip in their step - her unadulterated positive view of the world is absolutely infectious. We’re delighted to be working with Frances again on what promises to be a truly wonderful and inspiring movie.”
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