Taking place in the early 1960s, the film once titled An Unquiet Life will tell the story of Patricia Neal and Roald Dahl’s tumultuous marriage. Considered to be an unlikely pair, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory author Dahl and Breakfast at Tiffany’s star Neal, find themselves retreating to the English countryside to bring up their young family. The couple will have their relationship tested and strengthened by tragedy.
According to Deadline, the untitled biopic will star Keeley Hawes (Death at a Funeral) as Patricia Neal and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) as renowned British children’s author Roald Dahl.
Sam Heughan, star of Outlander, has joined the cast as Hollywood icon Paul Newman. Neal worked along side Newman in the 1963 film Hud. Hud is still considered to be one Newman’s best roles. While Newman was nominated for an Oscar for his role of Hud Bannon, he ultimately lost but would get his Oscar for his 1986 film The Color of Money. Neil would also be nominated for her role in Hud as Alma Brown and win.
Producer Donall McCusker (The Hurt Locker) stated:
We are delighted that Sam has joined us, he is the perfect actor to play Paul Newman and a terrific addition to our already wonderful cast.
Heughan’s most recent movie role was in the 2018 comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me. But Outlander fans can see Heughan on their television screen’s this February as the Starz hit time-traveling drama returns for its fifth season.
Production for the new biopic is said to finish sometime this week.
