Onwards and Sideways
| Onwards and Sideways | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Madden |
| Screenplay by | Paul Mayhew-Archer |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Onwards and Sideways is an upcoming British film written by Paul Mayhew-Archer and directed by John Madden. It stars Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans with Monica Dolan and Rory Kinnear.
It will have a world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in a TIFF Gala Presentation.
Premise
A school teacher and a composer meet after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease on the same morning.[1]
Cast
- Laura Linney as Emma Dretzin
- Rhys Ifans as Tony Evans
- Monica Dolan as Liz Evans
- Rory Kinnear as Professor Ridge
Production
The feature-length drama was announced in October 2025.[2] It is produced for BBC iPlayer and BBC One by John Gore Studios and Hilltop Screen. It is written by Paul Mayhew-Archer and directed by John Madden. It is produced by Hilary Bevan Jones and John Gore. The executive producers are Hilary Strong, Francis Hopkinson, Ellie Wood, Helen Flint, Rhys Ifans, Madden, Mayhew-Archer and Lucy Richer.[3] Mayhew-Archer was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011, and is also co-host of the podcast Movers and Shakers about experiences with the disease and created the documentary Parkinson's: The Funny Side in 2016. The drama was initially written prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but had delayed production.[4][5]
The cast is led by Ifans alongside Laura Linney, Rory Kinnear and Monica Dolan.[6] The drama is set and filmed in North Norfolk, with filming locations including Fakenham in November 2025. First-look images from filming released to the media in May 2026. It had the original title But When We Dance.[7][8]
Release
It will have a world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in a TIFF Gala Presentation.[9]
References
- ↑ "Casting announced for But When We Dance". BBC News. October 22, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Earp, Catherine (October 27, 2025). "BBC confirms "exceptional cast" for Norfolk-set drama to 'make you laugh and cry'". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Onwards and Sideways new pictures released for feature-length drama starring Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney". BBC News. July 20, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Szalai, Georg (May 20, 2026). "Laura Linney, Rhys Ifans Star as Duo Confronting Parkinson's Diagnoses in 'Onwards and Sideways' (First-Look Image)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Godfrey, Jake (February 28, 2024). "Paul Mayhew-Archer comedy drama going into production after three year delay". Film Stories. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Lewis, George (July 20, 2026). "Highly-anticipated BBC drama set in Norfolk with "exceptional" cast gets first look at Sherwood star". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Cormack, Morgan (May 20, 2026). "Love Actually and Notting Hill legends' emotional new BBC feature-length drama, releases first look – and confirms title change". Radio Times. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Onwards & Sideways: A first glimpse at the film shot in Fakenham". North-Norfolk.gov.uk. May 21, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
- ↑ Szalai, Georg (July 20, 2026). "Toronto-Bound 'Onwards and Sideways,' With Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans as People Being Diagnosed With Parkinson's, Gets New Images (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 21, 2026.