Emily Watson to Lead Dominic Cooke’s John Daniel

On November 9, Emily Watson was announced as the lead of John Daniel, a British drama directed by Dominic Cooke. She will play Alyce Cunningham, an independent woman who forms a bond with a young gorilla in the years after the First World War.

The story is based on real events and draws on home-movie footage and photographs made by residents of Uley, Gloucestershire, from 1918 to 1922. Alexi Kaye Campbell wrote the screenplay. In the film’s story, Alyce’s nephew brings the gorilla home after rescuing him from a London department-store window, despite her objections.

Alyce names the animal John Daniel. He gradually becomes part of village life, including its school and pub, and helps lift the spirits of a community grieving its wartime losses. When suspicion and fear put his place in the village at risk, Alyce must decide whether to defend him.

Genesius Pictures is producing the film with Edward Film Company, with Debbie Gray as producer. The project is in pre-production, and principal photography is scheduled to start in the U.K. in mid-2027. It will use motion capture and visual effects to create a realistic gorilla performance. Axio World is handling the effects, led by Loris Mantello and Maoris Creantor.