We now have a first look at touching feature-length drama Onward and Sideways, which was previously known by the title of But When We Dance.
The 90-minute film sees Ozark’s Laura Linney and House of the Dragon‘s Rhys Ifans take centre stage as two people who cross paths in an unexpected way. The drama is set to be “a touching story about two people with lots in common – a great sense of humour, a love of dance, and Parkinson’s,” according to its synopsis.
Set and filmed in North Norfolk, Rhys stars as deputy headteacher of a local primary school, Tony Evans. Linney stars as Emma Dretzin, a pianist, composer and single mother of two daughters.
“Neither knows the other until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives: on the same morning, they are both confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s,” the synopsis reads.
The first-look image from the drama shows the pair walking along a road, seemingly in high spirits as they chat and laugh together. Clearly, a connection is being formed, but we’re sure this will be a watch that will lean on all the emotions.
Onward and Sideways will not only be coming to BBC One and iPlayer, but will also be released in cinemas soon, with a release date yet to be confirmed.
The drama is directed by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) and has been written by Paul Mayhew-Archer (The Vicar of Dibley), who has Parkinson’s himself and is co-host of award-winning Parkinson’s podcast Movers and Shakers.
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Alongside Ifans and Linney, the cast also boasts the likes of James Bond star Rory Kinnear, Monica Dolan (Black Mirror) and Mayhew-Archer himself.
At the time of the drama’s announcement last year, Mayhew-Archer said in a statement: “In 2011, when I was 58 years old, I was told I had Parkinson’s. It’s incurable and it makes many of the things I do – walking, talking, smiling – increasingly difficult. But though I have reasons to hate Parkinson’s it has also brought me opportunities I wouldn’t have missed for the world.
“The latest of these is the chance to work with the brilliant director John Madden and wonderful actors on bringing this story to life. So, thank you Parkinson’s. My fingers may fumble, my mouth may mumble and each step I take may result in a stumble. But I cannot grumble.”
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Onward and Sideways will air on BBC One and iPlayer, and will be released in cinemas soon.
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Authors
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
