FIRST LOOK Onwards and Sideways

A touching story starring Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans.

Following the news that Onwards and Sideways has been selected as part of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, BBC One has released a number of first look images from Paul Mayhew-Archer's new feature-length drama Onwards and Sideways, previously titled But When We Dance, which will also be released in cinemas, after premiering as a TIFF Gala Presentation

It's a touching story about two people with lots in common, a great sense of humour, a love of dance, and Parkinson’s, and stars Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans alongside Monica Dolan as Liz Evans, Rory Kinner as Professor Ridge and Paul Mayhew-Archer.

Set and filmed in North Norfolk, Rhys plays Tony Evans, the deputy head of a local primary school. Laura stars as Emma Dretzin, a pianist, composer and single mother of two daughters. Neither knows the other until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives: on the same morning, they are both confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Made by John Gore Studios and Hilltop Screen, Onward and Sideways is written by Paul Mayhew-Archer, directed by John Madden, produced by Hilary Bevan Jones and John Gore. and executive produced by John Madden, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Rhys Ifans, Hilary Strong and Francis Hopkinson, Ellie Wood, Helen Flint, and Lucy Richer for the BBC.

Onwards and Sideways will air later this year on BBC One