THR has revealed veteran actress Kathy Bates is set to star in an upcoming drama about famed British poet and novelist, Robert Graves. The Laureate is directed by William Nunez, who also penned the screenplay, and features Bates as Graves’ meddling mother, Amy. The film will focus on Graves’ first marriage to Nancy Nicholson during his affair with American poet Laura Riding.
Bates will star alongside Tom Hughes (About Time) as lead Robert Graves, Dianna Agron (The Family) as Laura Riding, and Laura Haddock (Guardians of the Galaxy) as Nancy Nicholson. Nunez’s production company Northend Pictures and Ireland’s Subotica Entertainment will produce the film. Producer credits include Tristan Lynch, Nunez and Aoife O’Sullivan, while Tannaz Anisi and Greg Schenz are set to executive produce.
Nunez expressed his anticipation in a statement for working with the talented ensemble cast and the various production companies. He also believes the “controversial” and “fascinating” life led by Graves will “resonate with audiences worldwide.” Bates has an incredible talent for portraying roles that require her intensely meddling in other people’s lives, as seen in her iconic performance as Annie Wilkes and Mama Boucher in The Waterboy. There is no doubt she will bring her A game to her role as Mama Graves.
Bates’ recent acting credits include appearing as actress Joan Blondell in FX’s Feud: Bette and Joan as well as the Netflix series Disjointed. She will appear alongside Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer in the upcoming Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic, On the Basis of Sex.
The Laureate does not have a release date as of yet.
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