DEADLINE – In-demand British actress Lily James is set to star in The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society, with Mike Newell attached to direct.

Script is written by Don Roos and Tom Bezucha and is based on the international bestseller of the same name by Annie Barros and Mary Ann Shaffer. Paula Mazur and Mitchell Kaplan from The Mazur/Kaplan Company and Blueprint Pictures’ Graham Broadbent and Pete Czernin will produce.

Studiocanal is financing the project and will distribute in its own territories, the UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. The company will be selling worldwide rights to the title at the American Film Market next month.

The story is set on Guernsey Island in the aftermath of World War II and sees free-spirited journalist Juliet Ashton, played by James, form a life-changing bond with the delightful and eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, when she decides to write about the book club they formed during wartime.

“The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society has been a project of tremendous passion for us, and we are thrilled to be bringing it to screen with filmmaker Mike Newell attached and Lily James, our consummate ‘Juliet,’ ” said Mazur.

Ron Halpern, Studiocanal’s EVP International Productions and Acquisitions said: “Studiocanal is thrilled to be partnering with Mazur/Kaplan and Blueprint Pictures to bring Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Schaffer’s The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society to the big screen. We have always admired Mike Newell as a director and it would be an honor to finally work with him. Lily James is the perfect actress to bring this incredible character to life.”

Published by Random House, the novel sold 7.5 million copies in 37 territories and was a New York Times bestseller.

Filming is set to begin in the UK in spring 2017.

James, who is also starring in Working Title’s Darkest Hour, directed by Joe Wright, is repped by Tavistock Wood in the UK and UTA in the U.S.

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