Olivia Colman and Woody Harrelson to star in film adaptation of Bob Dylan-inspired musical, Girl From The North Country

Virgin Radio

8 Feb 2023, 14:21

Oscar-winner Olivia Colman is set to star alongside Woody Harrelson in a movie adaptation of Girl From The North Country, which is a Broadway musical featuring Bob Dylan songs.

The film will also feature Tosin Cole from Dr Who and Till, and American singer, songwriter, and actress Chlöe Bailey, who is best known for being one half of the musical duo Chloe x Halle with her sister Halle Bailey.

The adaptation will be written and directed by Conor McPherson, who was behind the stage show.

Girl From The North Country tells a story set in the Depression about wayward Midwestern travellers who intersect in a guesthouse at a turning point in their lives. Bob Dylan’s tunes, such as Like a Rolling Stone, Forever Young and All Along the Watchtower feature prominently in the musical.

With the narrative set in 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota, the guesthouse’s proprietor, Nick Laine, will be played by Triangle of Sadness and Natural Born Killers legend Harrelson, while Peep Show and The Favourite star Colman will play his wife, Elizabeth, who is suffering from dementia. 

Life is tough for the pair, as the bank is foreclosing on their home, and their adopted daughter Marianne (Bailey) has a secret that no one can explain. 

When an escaped convict Joe Scott (Cole) seeks shelter at the guesthouse, a relationship develops between himself and Marianne that will change everything for everyone forever.

The original musical production from which the film was spawned started at London’s Old Vic back in before eventually heading to Broadway.

In a statement, Bob Dylan said: “To be associated with Conor is one of the highlights of my professional life. It goes without saying the man is a genius for putting this thing together and I’m thrilled to be a part of the experience. My songs couldn’t be in better hands. The play had me crying at the end. I can’t even say why. When the curtain came down, I was stunned. I really was.”

McPherson added: “Having Bob Dylan’s trust to create a story using his incomparable songs is a huge privilege which has brought nothing but joy to my world. But working with this incredible cast to bring these characters to life is almost beyond imagining.”