Fresh off their remarkable work in The Last of Us, Bella Ramsey has quite the follow-up gig.
Deadline reports they will star in the upcoming period drama Monstrous Beauty, a new film from writer and director Romola Garai (Atonement and The Hour). The actor will star as Barbara Field, an aspiring playwright in the court of King Charles II who suffers from a rare condition that means she is entirely covered in hair.
Ramsey joins Dominic West as King Charles II (after he recently played Prince Charles in The Crown), Oscar nominee Ruth Negga (Passing) as his mistress Nell Gwyn, and Fiona Shaw (Killing Eve) as Aphra Ben.
Deadline notes the film is set in the 17th Century and follows the story of a unique young woman, Barbara Field (Ramsey), born into poverty with a rare condition that means she is entirely covered in hair. Given the precious gift of an education, she is offered the opportunity of a place in the luxurious and decadent court of King Charles II (West) as a “Natural Wonder” where people with extraordinary appearances mix with the aristocracy.
Adding, Fuelled by the desire to be defined for who she is rather than how she looks, Barbara aspires to become a playwright under the auspices of famous actress Nell Gwyn (Negga), powerful mistress to the King. Nell herself is intent on teaching Charles a public lesson on the true appreciation of women beyond their physical appearance. Barbara seeks the help of famous playwright of the day, Aphra Behn (Shaw), and casts beautiful actor Vale (the object of Barbara’s own desire) as the lead, despite his lack of talent. But will Barbara succeed in becoming a woman of independent means whilst challenging a highly patriarchal society and become master of her own destiny?
Filming is due to begin in September.
