Billie Piper & Johnny Flynn Join 'Elsinore' as UK Shoot

The cameras have officially started rolling on Elsinore, Studiocanal’s highly anticipated biographical drama centered on the late Scottish actor Ian Charleson. As production commenced in the UK on January 12, 2026, the studio unveiled a formidable wave of new casting additions, led by Billie Piper (Wednesday, Scoop) and Johnny Flynn (Ripley, The Motive and the Cue).

Directed by Simon Stone (The Dig), the film reunites Piper with the director nearly a decade after their award-winning collaboration on the stage production of Yerma.

A Powerhouse British Ensemble

While Andrew Scott (starring as Ian Charleson) and Olivia Colman (playing Charleson’s doctor) were previously announced as the leads, the start of principal photography brought an extensive list of acclaimed British talent to the call sheet.

The newly announced ensemble includes:

• Billie Piper and Johnny Flynn

• Luke Thompson (Bridgerton)

• Joe Locke (Heartstopper, Agatha All Along)

• Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office)

• Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply)

• Adeel Akhtar (Sherwood)

• Peter Mullan (Children of Men)

• David Dawson, Matthew Beard, Kadiff Kirwan, and Dickie Beau.

The Story: A Race Against Time and Tradition

Written by BAFTA winner Stephen Beresford (Pride), Elsinore tells the "scarily real" and deeply moving true story of Ian Charleson during the final months of his life in 1989.

The plot focuses on Charleson's extraordinary determination to perform the title role in Hamlet at London's National Theatre while secretly battling the advanced stages of AIDS. At the time, Charleson was brought in to replace Daniel Day-Lewis, who had famously abandoned the production. Charleson’s performance was hailed by critics as "the perfect Hamlet," despite the actor being so ill he could barely walk between scenes.

Charleson died in January 1990, aged 40. At his request, his cause of death was publicly disclosed, making him the first UK celebrity whose death was officially attributed to AIDS—a pivotal moment in breaking the stigma surrounding the virus in Britain.

Production and Release

Elsinore is a collaborative effort between Studiocanal, LD Entertainment, Lucky Red, and Magnolia Mae Films.

• Filming Locations: The production is currently shooting across various locations in the UK and is expected to move to Italy for additional sequences later in the spring.

• Behind the Scenes: The film features a top-tier creative team, including cinematographer Mike Eley (The Dig) and production designer Helen Scott (Living).

Director Simon Stone described the project as "one of the most exciting" of his career, calling Beresford’s script a "beautiful ode to the power of community in times of crisis."

With a cast that represents the "pinnacle" of modern British acting, Elsinore is already being positioned as a major contender for the 2027 awards season.

Source - https://www.screendaily.com/news/studiocanals-elsinore-adds-billie-piper-johnny-flynn-as-uk-shoot-begins/5212605.article

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