The BBC has released the official trailer for ‘Onwards and Sideways’, a new feature-length drama starring Rhys Ifans (Inheritance, House of the Dragon) and Laura Linney (Ozark, Love Actually), which will head to UK cinemas in November before arriving on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later in the year.
The emotional and surprisingly funny drama follows Tony, played by Rhys Ifans (Inheritance, House of the Dragon), and Emma, played by Laura Linney (Ozark, Love Actually), two strangers whose lives unexpectedly collide after they receive the same life-changing diagnosis.
Tony is the deputy headteacher of a primary school, while Emma is a musician and composer, as well as a single mother to two daughters. Neither knows the other until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives. On the same morning, both are confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
From there, ‘Onwards and Sideways’ follows the unexpected friendship that develops between them, exploring humour, courage, music, movement and the transformative power of human connection. The film aims to challenge assumptions around Parkinson’s while celebrating the possibility of finding joy, freedom and hope even during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Joining Ifans and Linney are Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Sherwood) as Tony’s sister Liz, alongside Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power) as Professor Ridge.
The drama is written by Paul Mayhew-Archer (The Vicar of Dibley, Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot), who also co-hosts the Parkinson’s podcast Movers and Shakers. Oscar-nominated filmmaker John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Operation Mincemeat, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) directs, continuing his long-running collaboration with composer Thomas Newman.
Hilary Bevan Jones and John Gore produce the film, with Hilary Strong, Francis Hopkinson, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Ellie Wood, Helen Flint, Rhys Ifans and John Madden serving as executive producers alongside Lucy Richer for the BBC. Alfie Johnson is co-producer.
‘Onwards and Sideways’ is produced by Hilltop Screen for John Gore Studios and the BBC, with Icon Film Distribution handling its UK cinema release.
‘Onwards and Sideways’ is released in UK cinemas on Friday, 6th November 2026, and will premiere on BBC iPlayer and BBC One later in 2026.
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