Acclaimed theatre and film director Simon Stone is set to direct Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman in Elsinore, based on the life of acclaimed actor Ian Charleson.

Elsinore is written by BAFTA winner and Golden Globe nominee Stephen Beresford (Pride, Pride The Musical), and is shooting from 5 January 2026.

Elsinore promises to be a powerful, deeply moving and inspiring true story of the actor Ian Charleson who faced incredible odds while preparing to give the performance of his life in Hamlet at the National Theatre in London.

BAFTA winner and multi-Golden Globe nominee Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers, Ripley, Pressure, VANYA) will star as Ian Charleson, alongside Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy winner Olivia Colman (The Favourite, The Crown, The Lost Daughter).

Further casting is to be announced.

Simon Stone is a BAFTA and Olivier-nominated director best known for films including The Dig, and theatre work including this year’s The Lady From the Sea at the Bridge Theatre. His forthcoming stage projects include Ivanov starring Chris Pine at the Bridge Theatre in 2026.

Stephen Beresford’s forthcoming stage projects include Pride The Musical, based on his acclaimed film, which is playing the National Theatre from 11 June 2026.

Film director Stephen Frears was originally attached to the project.

Andrea Occhipinti of Lucky Red (Il Divo, Everybody Knows) produces with Gabrielle Tana of Magnolia Mae Films (The Dig, Philomena), along with Pete Shilaimon and Mickey Liddell of LD Entertainment, and Stefano Massenzi and Carolyn Marks Blackwood. Andrew Scott is also a producer, with Stephen Beresford and Ethan Silverman as Executive Producers.

Mike Eley (The Dig) is DOP, Helen Scott (Living) is Production Designer, Mel Page (The Dig) is Costume Designer, Valerio Bonelli (Darkest Hour) is Editor, Jessica Ronane (Emma) is casting the film.

Simon Stone said in a statement: “This is one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever been involved in. Stephen Beresford’s screenplay is both heartbreaking and hilarious, a beautiful ode to the power of community in times of crisis. Andrew Scott is one of the greatest actors of his generation as Ian Charleson was: it’s momentous casting.”

Studiocanal is financing the film with LD pre-buying North America. Ron Halpern, EVP Global Production and Joe Naftalin, SVP Global Production will oversee for Studiocanal. Studiocanal will release theatrically in their territories of the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Benelux, Australia and NZ with distribution by LUCKY RED in Italy.

Studiocanal recently launched a new theatre production company called Studiocanal on Stage, following their successful co-production of major new West End show Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre in London.

More about Ian Charleson

Ian Charleson was a Scottish screen and stage actor best known for film roles including Chariots of Fire and Gandhi, and on stage in National Theatre productions of Hamlet and Guys & Dolls.

One of the greatest actors of his generation, he died in 1990 at the age of 40 from AIDS.

When he died, he requested that the cause of his death should be publicised to help promote awareness and acceptance of AIDS.

An award was set up in his name in 1990, to celebrate young actors under 30 performing in a classical stage role. The awards are still going strong to this day, and this year’s winner of the Ian Charleson Award was Francesca Amewudah-Rivers.

Previous winners of the Ian Charleson Award include Jack Lowden, Paapa Essiedu, Rebecca Hall, Rory Kinnear, David Oyelowo, Cush Jumbo and Tom Hollander.

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Main photo: Elsinore - Andrew Scott (Photo (c) Ian Cattermole for Getty Images, supplied by PR) and Olivia Coleman (Photo Chris Baker)

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