The first look image of Claire Foy and Benedict Cumberbatch from the feature ‘Louis Wain’ has been released by Studiocanal alongside further cast announcement.

Joining the previously announced cast of Cumberbatch, Foy, Toby Jones and Andrea Riseborough are Stacy Martin (Nymphomaniac, Vox Lux), Sharon Rooney (Dumbo, ‘My Mad Fat Diary’), Hayley Squires (I, Daniel Blake, ‘Southcliffe’) and Aimee Lou Wood (‘Sex Education’) as Louis Wain’s endearingly eccentric sisters.

Adeel Akhtar (The Big Sick, Pan, Four Lions, ‘Utopia’), Julian Barratt (Mindhorn, ‘Flowers’, ‘The Mighty Boosh’) and Asim Chaudhry (‘People Just Do Nothing’, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) further round out the impressive cast.

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Directed by BAFTA-nominated Will Sharpe (Channel 4’s critically acclaimed Flowersand written by Sharpe & Simon Stephenson, the cast will also include Andrea Riseborough (Birdman) and Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

Benedict Cumberbatch will play the role of British artist Louis Wain an artist inspired by both his love of the world and the love of his life Emily played by Claire Foy. Famous for his distinctive paintings of cats that inspired hearts and minds around the world, Louis Wain is a lovable inspirational hero with a courageous and infectious spirit, who saw the world in a unique and delightful way throughout his long life full of adventure, continually inspiring people to do the same.

Benedict Cumberbatch said I am thrilled by the prospect of playing the courageous, playful spirit that is Louis Wain and to be producing such a special film. I have admired Wills work for several years through Flowers and from the moment we first met, knew he was the perfect person to bring Louis’ inspirational and Odyssean story to life. Together we plan to bring audiences a sincerely uplifting, playful, thought-provoking tale of resilience, creativity and the enduring power of love”.

Principal photography began on August 19th, shooting on location and in-studio in and just outside London until mid-October.

LOUIS WAIN