Jessica Gunning joins Bella Ramsey in cancer comedy film Sunny Dancer
Jessica Gunning continues to clean up in awards season, earlier this week adding a Screen Actors Guild gong to her Emmy and Golden Globe for her portrayal of stalker Martha Scott in stand-up Richard Gadd's hit Netflix drama Baby Reindeer.
And The Outlaws and Pride actor is about to shoot a new British film with Game Of Thrones' breakout star Bella Ramsey.
Production on coming-of-age movie Sunny Dancer is scheduled to begin in London early next year, with the dark comedy focused on a camp for young people with cancer.
The second film by young actor-director George Jaques following his 2023 road trip comedy drama Black Dog, the feature also stars How I Met Your Mother alumni Neil Patrick Harris, James Norton (Happy Valley), Louis Partridge (Paddington 2) and Ruby Stokes (Bridgerton).
Described as a "deeply personal, coming-of-age, comedy romance," Sunny Dancer follows Ivy (Ramsey), who is less than thrilled when forced to attend a summer camp for young people affected by cancer.
In hard-earned remission, and through her late-teen scepticism, "Chemo Camp" is considered both "cringe!" and a "hard pass!", yet the camp turns into the very best moments of her life with love, true friendship, optimism and humour.
"I'm beyond excited to have such insanely talented people on board - absolute masters of their craft - coming together to create a movie that's equal parts hilarious and gut-punching" Jaques told US entertainment website Variety.
"I want the audience to laugh till they cry, then actually cry, and walk away with a fresh perspective on how the young, in fighting for life, are seen - not as victims, but as bold, complex, and full of life."
Ken Petrie (Black Dog) is producing for 27 Ten Productions with Jaques and his Athenaeum Productions.