Neil Patrick Harris & More Join Bella Ramsey Movie

Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), James Norton (Little Women), and Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) have been tapped to join the Sunny Dancer cast for the upcoming coming-of-age romance comedy, which hails from actor-turned-filmmaker George Jaques.

“The film follows Ivy, a young girl who is less than thrilled when forced to attend a summer camp for young people affected by cancer,” reads the official synopsis. “Ivy is in her own hard-earned remission, and through her late-teen skepticism ‘Chemo Camp’ is considered both ‘Cringe!’ and a ‘Hard Pass!.’ But, actually, Sunny Dancer: turns out to be all about turning the ‘Hard Pass’ into the very best moments of life with love, true friendship, and optimism and humor.”

Who will lead the Sunny Dancer cast?

Sunny Dancer will be led by Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones, The Last of Us) as Ivy. Ramsey will also be joined by Louis Partridge (Enola Holmes) and Ruby Stokes (Lockwood & Co.). Described as a “deeply personal, coming-of-age, comedy romance,” the film will be written and directed by Jaques, who made his feature-length directorial debut in 2023 with the comedy drama Black Dog.

The film will be produced by Ken Petrie through his 27 Ten banner, along with Jaques for Athenaeum Productions. True Brit Entertainment is currently targeting a wide 2026 U.K. release. Production is expected to begin sometime in April.

“I’m beyond excited to have such insanely talented people on board — absolute masters of their craft —coming together to create a movie that’s equal parts hilarious and gut-punching,” Jaques said in a statement. “I want the audience to laugh till they cry, then actually cry, and walk away with a fresh perspective on how the young, in fighting for life, are seen—not as victims, but as bold, complex, and full of life.”

(Source: Variety)