Joan Collins to portray Wallis Simpson in new biopic
By Charlotte McLaughlin, PA Senior Entertainment Reporter
Joan Collins will take on the role of Wallis Simpson in a biopic about the American socialite’s final years.
The 91-year-old British actress, known for playing Alexis Carrington Colby in US soap opera Dynasty, will portray the woman who Edward VIII gave up his throne to marry, sparking a constitutional crisis.
With a working title The Bitter End, the film will be helmed by Bafta-winning Four Weddings And A Funeral director Mike Newell, and written by screenwriter and novelist Louise Fennell.
Golden Globe Award-winner Collins said: “I am thrilled about the challenge of playing this iconic woman in a previously untold story and to be in John Gore Studios’ initial roster of what I’m sure will be a very successful endeavour.”
After marrying in June 1937, Edward and Wallis, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, lived the rest of their lives in exile in France, with Edward dying in May 1972.
The duchess died in Paris in 1986 at the age of 89.
The Bitter End is part of a series of new projects from Broadway producer Gore, who recently launched John Gore Studios.
The film will be produced by Gore, Richard Holmes and Francis Hopkinson and executive produced by Hilary Strong and Michael Foster.
Wallis has previously been portrayed by May 33rd star Lia Williams in hit Netflix royal drama The Crown, Nip/Tuck star Joely Richardson in TV film Wallis & Edward, Faye Dunaway in The Woman I Love, and Nurse Jackie star Eve Best in The King’s Speech.
Another upcoming project from John Gore Studios is Ithaqua, under the banner of Hammer Film Productions, which brought the monsters Dracula, The Mummy and Victor Frankenstein’s creature to the big screen.
The film introduces a new monster created by the film’s director and producer Casey Walker, the first new addition in decades to Hammer’s roster.
Set in 1800s Canada, it stars Land Of Bad actor Luke Hemsworth, X-Men Origins: Wolverine star Kevin Durand, and Funny Games actor Michael Pitt.
It sees the British survivors of a remote trade outpost plagued by an ancient evil that leaves its victims with an insatiable hunger for flesh.
Filming on The Bitter End is set to begin in London and Paris in May.
