03/10/2012 - Judi Dench, Steve Coogan to star in Martin Sixsmith adaptation

Stephen Frears will commence principal photography by the end of October at London, Washington DC and Northern Ireland locations for Philomena. Frears and Jeff Pope (Pierrepoint) adapted the script from Martin Sixsmith’s novel The Lost Child Of Philomena Lee: A Mother, Her Son and a 50 Year Search. The true story follows Lee, an unmarried mother who was forced to give up her baby for adoption in 1950s Ireland and her quest to track down her child.

Judi Dench (photo) will essay the title role of Lee and Steve Coogan that of a journalist who helps her in her search. The film is a Pathe, BBC Films and British Film Institute production. Producers are Coogan, Gabrielle Tana and Tracey Seaward, and executive producers are Henry Normal of Baby Cow, Christine Langan from BBC Films and Pathe’s Francois Ivernel and Cameron McCracken.

Coogan said, “The film is a comic tragedy or a tragic comedy. It’s about two very different people, at different stages of their lives, who help each other and show that there is laughter even in the darkest places.”

Pathe will handle international sales and distribute in the UK and France.