British helmer Mike Newell’s new endeavour, titled The Bitter End, is now in the works. Newell won the BAFTA for Best Direction for Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), which also snagged the BAFTA Award for Best Film, and directed successful pics such as Donnie Brasco (1997) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).

Penned by screenwriter and novelist Louise Fennell, The Bitter End explores the lesser-known final years of Wallis Simpson. The American divorcée, who became the Duchess of Windsor after marrying King Edward VIII and prompting his abdication, finds herself in a harrowing battle for control.

Isabella Rossellini takes on the role of Suzanne Blum, the formidable French lawyer and confidante of Simpson, portrayed by Joan Collins. Blum’s influence over the Duchess escalates into an unsettling dynamic of obsession and coercion. The Italian actress joined the cast fresh off her recent Oscar nomination for her supporting role in Edward Berger’s Vatican-set thriller Conclave [+lee también:
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“I am absolutely thrilled to join the incomparable Joan Collins and the brilliant Mike Newell in bringing this extraordinary story back to life,” Rossellini shared. “Louise Fennell’s script allows us to delve into the complex and devastating relationship between these two iconic women, their profound impact on each other, and their lasting mark on history.”

The Bitter End is being staged by John Gore Studios (UK). Attached producers are John Gore, Richard Holmes, and Francis Hopkinson, with Hilary Strong, Michael Foster, and Percy Gibson serving as executive producers. Filming is slated to start in the UK next month. Additional casting and key crew details will be announced in due course. Worldwide sales are being handled by Embankment Films.

John Gore expressed his enthusiasm for Rossellini’s casting, stating, “Isabella Rossellini possesses an immense and captivating talent. Her ability to embody complex characters with depth and authenticity elevates every story she tells. Attracting such a stellar cast is a testament to the quality of this project. With Mike Newell’s vision and Louise Fennell’s gripping script, we have the ingredients for something truly special.”