Cate Blanchett Joins Forces With Alice Birch for ‘Sweetsick’: A New Searchlight Pictures Drama!

Cate Blanchett is set to appear in the upcoming movie “Sweetsick,” portraying a unique character who possesses the intriguing ability to discern the deepest needs of people.

The film marks the directorial debut of Alice Birch, who will also be penning the script. Birch is renowned for her screenplay for “Lady Macbeth” and her adaptations of Sally Rooney’s “Normal People” and “Conversations with Friends” into critically celebrated miniseries. Searchlight Pictures will produce “Sweetsick,” with filming scheduled to take place this autumn in the U.K. and Greece.

“Launching my first feature film as director with such a distinguished group of creators and artists is incredibly exhilarating,” expressed Birch. “Having the incomparable Cate Blanchett as our lead is absolutely exciting.”

In “Sweetsick,” Blanchett plays a captivating woman endowed with a “strange and piercing gift,” embarking on a poignant journey back to her roots. Additional casting details will be announced soon.

The production team includes Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, and Theo Barrowclough from House Productions, alongside Blanchett under her Dirty Films label, and Lee Groombridge. Film4 is set to executive produce and co-finance the project.

“Alice Birch has everyone’s full support, and it’s been fantastic to witness the stellar team she has assembled, led by the extraordinary Cate, all captivated by her daring and exquisite vision,” stated Ross.

Blanchett, a two-time Oscar winner for her roles in “Blue Valentine” and “The Aviator,” boasts a prolific career with notable films like “Notes on a Scandal,” “I’m Not There,” “Carol,” and “Tár.” Birch has received a WGA award for her contribution to the series ‘Succession’ and has other screenplays such as “The Wonder” and “Mothering Sunday” to her credit.

Blanchett is managed by CAA, while Birch’s representation includes UTA, Davis Law Group, and Giles Smart at United Agents.

Overseeing the project for Searchlight, Pete Spencer, VP of development and production, and Cameron Chidsey, creative executive, report to production and development chiefs Katie Goodson-Thomas and DanTram Nguyen. For Film4, Farhana Bhula, director, and Alice Whittemore, a development and production executive, are in charge of the project. Executive producers for Film4 include Farhana Bhula, and for House Productions, Zoe Edwards, Harry Dixon, and James Green.