Principal photography has begun on The End We Start From, starring BAFTA and Emmy award-winning actor Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, The Last Duel, Free Guy) and directed by BAFTA award-winning director Mahalia Belo (Ellen, Requiem, The Long Song). Based on the heart-wrenching novel by Megan Hunter and adapted for the screen by BAFTA nominated Alice Birch (Normal People, Succession, The Wonder), THE END WE START FROM is a powerful hopeful story about the trials and joys of new motherhood in the midst of devastating floods that swallow up the city of London.
A brief synopsis for the film reads:
When an environmental crisis sees London submerged by flood waters, a young family is torn apart in the chaos. As a woman and her new-born try to find their way home, the profound novelty of motherhood is brought into sharp focus in this dystopian portrayal of family survival and hope.
“The End We Start From is a unique and original take on a survival film. One that feels in tune with the climate crisis we are experiencing now. It delivers an honest look at the nature of a hero, someone forced to be brave who sometimes can’t be. It is incredible to be working with such an extraordinary cast, bringing this human, primal, and ultimately hopeful story to life.” says director Belo.
Comer adds “My character is ordinary and extraordinary, both her very personal life and the world around her have been turned upside down and she is dealing with the unknown at every turn. Her story is about the quiet heroics of determination, devotion, bravery and love.”
Cast members joining Comer include Joel Fry (Cruella, Yesterday), BAFTA nominee Mark Strong (1917, Kingsman), BAFTA award-winning Gina McKee (My Policeman, Line Of Duty), Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts, The World To Come), Nina Sosanya (Screw, His Dark Materials) and two-time Academy award nominee and BAFTA award-winning Benedict Cumberbatch.
Belo’s creative team includes BAFTA nominated director of photography Suzie Lavelle (Normal People, His Dark Materials), costume designer PC Williams (The Baby, We Are Lady Parts), production designer Laura Ellis-Cricks (Beast, Tuesday), and hair and make up designer Louise Coles (The Great, The Crown).
The End We Start From is produced by Leah Clarke and Adam Ackland (The Mauritanian, The Courier) for SunnyMarch, Liza Marshall (Temple, Red Riding) for Hera Pictures, Amy Jackson (Aftersun, The Nest) and Sophie Hunter. Executive Producers are Benedict Cumberbatch for SunnyMarch, Jodie Comer, Mark Strong, Sébastien Raybaud, Fanny Soulier, Pieter Engels, Kate Maxwell for Anton, Dave Caplan and Jason Cloth for C2 Motion Picture Group, Eva Yates and Claudia Yusef for BBC Film and Lizzie Francke for the BFI. Anton, C2 Motion Picture Group, BBC Film and the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding) are co-financing the film. Anton and UTA Independent Film Group are handling worldwide sales, with UTA having helped structure the financing of the film alongside Anton.
