Olivia Colman joins Sam Mendes movie Empire of Light

The Crown actress Olivia Colman will play the lead part in Sam Mendes movie Empire of Light.

Both being Oscar darlings – Colman won her statue in 2019 while Mendes took home Best Director in 2000 – this is definitely a collaboration to keep an eye on.

According to Variety, the project is a 1980s love story situated in and around an old cinema on the South Coast of England, which will be lensed by the legendary director of photography Roger Deakins.

Thrilled to be partnering with Searchlight Pictures on his next release, Mendes commented: “I have long been an admirer of Searchlight and the dynamic way they have produced and released some of my favourite theatrical releases of recent years.

“This project is very close to my heart, and I couldn’t be more delighted that it has found its ideal home.”

Before these two get together though, Colman will shoot HBO/Sky miniseries Landscapers opposite Harry Potter actor David Thewlis.

Inspired by real events, this four-episode crime drama follows wife Susan Edwards and her husband Christopher, who murdered the former’s parents before burying them in the back garden.