Downton Abbey star Allen Leech has landed his next movie role in the upcoming thriller Pedro Pan. Set in the 1960s, the movie will tell the real-life story of one of the largest child rescue operations in modern history, led by a Cuban socialite, an English teacher and an Irish Catholic priest based in Miami.
According to Deadline, the ambitious mission took place following the Cuban Revolution, with over 14,000 children smuggled to safety in order to avoid communist indoctrination under President Fidel Castro’s regime.
Supported by the US government and the Catholic Church, Operation Pedro Pan helped the Cuban children begin new lives in America, placing them with relatives or foster carers in the country.
Directed by Richie Adams, the historical thriller will reportedly begin production in Mexico in early November. The movie will star Leech, Shōgun‘s Néstor Carbonell, Danny Pino, Paz Vega and Father of the Bride’s Andy García, with exact roles yet to be announced.
Meanwhile, composer Carlos José Alvarez, whose parents were both exiled as part of the operation, created the story and will serve as producer, alongside Steve Shapiro, Adams Gavigan, and Liz and Ken Whitney.
BBC
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“I’m humbled to bring this chapter of history to the screen with such an extraordinary cast, whose talent and authenticity will bring depth and truth to these roles,” said Gavigan, who co-wrote the script.
“With the participation of Cuban actors at the heart of this project, we aim to honour the community’s lived experiences and bring this incredible story to a global audience.”
Rory Mulvey – Universal
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“Pedro Pan tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and hope that resonates far beyond Cuba and America — it’s a universal story about family and freedom,” added Alvarez.
Elsewhere, Leech recently reprised his role as Tom Branson for the third and final Downton Abbey movie, The Grand Finale. The final chapter of the beloved franchise centres around a newly-divorced Lady Mary Crawley, who finds herself shunned from society before becoming romantically entangled with newcomer Gus Sambrook.
However, Mary’s connection with the financial advisor is soon called into question and she is left wondering if his intentions are truly honourable.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is out now to buy and rent digitally, and is still being shown in cinemas. The show can be streamed in full with a Netflix, Prime Video or ITVX Premium subscription. The first film can be streamed on Netflix or Prime Video, while the second can also be bought or rented.
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