25th February 2021

RISING STAR DARYL MCCORMACK LANDS TITLE ROLE IN ‘GOOD LUCK TO YOU, LEO GRANDE’, STARRING ALONGSIDE EMMA THOMPSON

HELMED BY SOPHIE HYDE, SHOOT WILL COMMENCE IN EARLY MARCH

Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders, A Very English Scandal) is set to take on the eponymous role of Leo Grande in ‘Good Luck To You, Leo Grande’, joining two-time Academy Award-winner Emma Thompson in the upcoming comedy drama from Genesius Pictures (Mrs Lowry & Son, Northern Soul), directed by Sophie Hyde (Animals, 52 Tuesdays).

Rising star McCormack will portray Leo Grande, a sex worker in his 20s hired by Nancy Stokes (Thompson). Nancy yearns for some adventure, human connection and good sex, which she was robbed of in her stable but stale marriage. To make things right, the ex-teacher devises a plan and hires the services of Leo Grande for a night of bliss.

McCormack has established himself as a sought-after talent who is currently shooting the BBC One season finale of ‘Peaky Blinders’. Other upcoming projects include the highly anticipated Amazon TV series ‘Wheel of Time’ and Dominic Savage’s award-winning anthology series ‘I Am…,’ for Channel 4. Daryl can currently be seen in Pixie, a brand-new feature film opposite Olivia Cooke and Ben Hardy. Further film and television credits include ‘How to Fake a War’, ‘A Good Woman is Hard to Find’, BBC One’s ‘A Very English Scandal’, ITV’s ‘Cleaning Up’ (ITV) and the History Channel’s ‘Vikings’.

Filming is set to commence at the start of March in Norwich, with strict Covid-19 protocols in place throughout production.

‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’ will be directed by Sophie Hyde from an original screenplay by award- winning comedian and writer Katy Brand. Align is financing the film with principal Adrian Politowski producing alongside Debbie Gray from Genesius Pictures. Executive Producers include Martin Metz, Nessa McGill and Nadia Khamlichi of Align, Julian Gleek of Genesius Pictures, Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder of Cornerstone and Katy Brand.

Cornerstone, who first brought the film to market at the virtual AFM, are handling international sales and distribution, co-repping the US sales rights together with CAA Media Finance.

Daryl McCormack said: “Working alongside Emma and Sophie in such an intimate way is something I couldn’t have imagined. To be their Leo is something I’m massively excited for. "

Director Sophie Hyde said: “I’m so delighted to welcome Daryl to the project as Leo Grande and am relishing the energy, thoughtfulness and talent he brings. The pairing of Emma and Daryl feels fresh and exciting and I can’t wait to see them together on screen.”

Genesius Pictures’ Debbie Gray added, “I am delighted Daryl is joining the Film. He is a brilliant young actor who will bring his talent to the role of Leo Grande”.

‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’ marks the first joint project between Cornerstone and Genesius Pictures who are partners in The Reset Collective, the Australian production and distribution company that launched in May.

Daryl McCormack is represented by Ollie Azis at Independent Talent Group, Morris Epstein at Lisa Richards Agency and Peter McGrath of Echo Lake Entertainment. For more information please contact Multitude Media:

Charlotte Prentice: [email protected] / 07969959037 Karma Symington [email protected] / 07960663599

About Genesius Pictures

Award-winning producer Debbie Gray and Executive Producer Julian Gleek founded Genesius Pictures in 2014. With offices in London, Norfolk and Sydney, Genesius specialises in international film and television production.

Genesius produced BAFTA nominated and award-winning Northern Soul, starring Josh Whitehouse and Steve Coogan as well as, The More You Ignore Me written by Jo Brand which won Best Comedy Film at the National Film Awards in 2019. Genesius’ latest film includes Mrs Lowry & Son starring Academy Award Winning actress Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall which was one of the highest grossing Box Office independent films in the UK in 2019.

Genesius are currently in production of a feature documentary on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military directed by BAFTA and Emmy Award winning Kate Blewett and will be heading into production on their next feature film in early 2021 with Good Luck To You, Leo Grande starring Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack, to be directed by Sophie Hyde. The upcoming film slate also includes The Iceman written by Oscar nominated Jeff Pope and starring Joseph Fiennes; An adaptation of Matt Haig’s novel The Radleys, adapted for the screen by Jo Brand and directed by Chris Foggin and Late in Summer starring Emily Watson from debut writer/director Talitha Stevenson.

Genesius’ television division formally started in 2019 and is now developing several titles with multi award winning talent to produce high end television for 2021.

About Cornerstone

As a leader in the global independent film community, Cornerstone provides strong curatorial direction and years of industry experience to producers, financiers, and creative storytellers. We deliver the vital link between the creative vision and the successful global exploitation of content.

Our enthusiastic and experienced team is headed by Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder who launched the company in 2015 and have devoted their careers to supporting producers and directors to bring their stories to the screen. With sales offices in London and Los Angeles, we also co-develop and produce content with our associates in Europe – X-Filme and Beta Cinema – and in Australasia we founded distribution and production company, The Reset Collective, with our partners Genesius Pictures and Lisa Garner.

Cornerstone’s current slate includes Australian box office smash hit The Dry, starring Eric Bana, the bold new comedy Nude Tuesday, Whinastarring Rena Owen as the trailblazing Māori leader Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, starring Academy Award winner Emma Thompson and to be directed by Sophie Hyde, Not Bloody Likely starring Helena Bonham Carter and Pierce Brosnan, Craig Roberts’ The Fantastic Flitcrofts starring Academy and BAFTA Award winner Mark Rylance, Jon Wright’s The Little People starring Hannah John-Kamen, the remake of cult classic The Changeling to be directed by Anders Engström, Mike Leigh's untitled 2021 project, as well as a trio of Sundance 2020 World Premieres including Euros Lyn’s Dream Horse starring Toni Collette and Damian Lewis; Phyllida Lloyd’s Herself starring festival breakout Clare Dunne and Sundance award winner Shirley, directed by Josephine Decker starring Golden Globe winner Elizabeth Moss and Golden Globe nominee Michael Stuhlbarg.

About Align

Align is a LA based production company launched by Adrian Politowski and Nadia Khamlichi in 2019. We focus on creating original, commercial content that covers a wide range of genres. Backed by a 4-year greenlight fund of $200 million, the group retains the ability to fully finance features and television. Align will produce and finance five projects a year, typically in the $8M to $30M budget range. Our current projects include BLITHE SPIRIT starring Judi Dench, Leslie Mann, Isla Fischer and Dan Stevens, DIE IN A GUNFIGHT starring Alexandra Daddario and Diego Boneta and the animated feature BLAZING SAMURAI with voice artists Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson and Ricky Gervais

With headquarters in LA, Align maintains an international presence with staff in London, Brussels, and Luxemburg. www.align-group.com