Martin Freeman has been cast in a new British drama called Oddly Flowers, joining Emily Carey, known for her role in House of the Dragon. Filming for the project is scheduled to begin next week in Newfoundland, Canada, before continuing in Cornwall and London later in March. This exciting casting news highlights Martin Freeman British drama fans can eagerly anticipate.
The Story and Key Characters in Oddly Flowers
Oddly Flowers follows Audrey, a young woman whose sheltered life is disrupted by the death of her father. Over a lonely Christmas period, Audrey begins to uncover mysteries surrounding her childhood and investigates the disappearance of her beloved pet mouse. With the help of Judd, an inventive and charming character, she embarks on a revealing journey from Newfoundland to England to find relatives she was previously forbidden to know.
The film adapts Jessica Grant’s novel Come, Thou Tortoise, starring Emily Carey as Audrey. Martin Freeman portrays her father Walter, a quirky scientist, while Sam Spruell takes on the role of Audrey’s uncle, Thoby. The cast also includes Alex Eling as Judd, along with Alistair Petrie, Lindsay Duncan, and Melanie Nicholls-King. Jordan Canning is the writer, director, and producer, steering this project with a long-term passion.
Director Jordan Canning Reflects on Bringing the Story to Life
Jordan Canning described the project’s significance, sharing her excitement about finally realizing the film adaptation.
“I’ve been carrying this story with me for more than 15 years – ever since I first read Jessica Grant’s remarkable novel and began imagining its world on screen,”
she said.
“To finally bring it to life with a cast of this calibre is beyond anything I allowed myself to hope for.”
She added,
“This has been a long journey, but having such an extraordinary group of actors at the heart of the film makes the wait entirely worthwhile.”
Filming Locations and Release Plans
Shooting will commence in the scenic Canadian province of Newfoundland and transition to locations in Cornwall and London at the end of March. The film is planned for a Canadian release in 2027, though the European debut date has yet to be finalized. This international schedule underlines the film’s cross-continental narrative and appeal.
Martin Freeman’s Personal Life and Ongoing Acting Career
Alongside his professional achievements, Martin Freeman has recently opened up about his relationship with French actress Rachel Benaissa. The couple, who first met in 2020 and went public with their romance in 2021, have a 23-year age difference but share a mutual love for cooking and wine. Speaking on Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast, Martin said,
“She’s not a Cordon Bleu. She’s a massive cheese and wine. That’s what she would say about herself. She says that about herself, ‘I’m a cheese and wine.’ It’s not all she is, but no, she loves all that stuff. We like cooking.”
Rachel Benaissa has appeared in several TV shows, including the BBC drama Normal People and Channel 4’s This Way Up, alongside roles in films such as Netflix’s Christmas movie Irish Wish. The couple has mostly kept their private lives out of the spotlight, though Rachel has developed a friendly relationship with Martin’s children, even attending the premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with them in 2022.
