Hold onto your chairs because a new Netflix musical will feature the legendary acting prowess of Meryl Streep alongside the superstar injections of Kerry Washington and Nicole Kidman.
The cast for upcoming Broadway-adaptation The Prom, which is the brainchild of American Horror Story, Pose and Ratched creator Ryan Murphy, was revealed last year and now we have a release date and first-look pictures.
Here's what we know so far:
What is The Prom?
In April 2019, Murphy -who is also behind the American Crime Story franchise including The People vs OJ Simpson and The Assassination of Gianni Versace - revealed he was working on a Netflix movie adaptation of The Prom.
Breaking the news on stage straight after a broadway showing of the play in New York City, Murphy - who has signed a major deal to produce and direct shows for Netflix - said he wanted to use the story to show 'entertainment that is optimistic and uplifting' while shining a light on LGBTQ rights, per The Hollywood Reporter.
The musical, which is based on the book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, centres around a the story of a high school student, Emma, who isn't allowed to bring her girlfriend along to prom at her school in a conservative part of Indiana. Reading about the injustice, four Broadway actors who are struggling to stay relevant and find work vow to get behind Emma both for personal gain and the greater good.
Who has been cast in The Prom?
We know that when Murphy is attached to a project, an extremely high calibre cast soon follows. The People vs OJ had Sarah Paulson, John Travolta and David Schwimmer attached while Darren Criss won both an Emmy and Golden Globe for his portrayal of serial killer and the murderer of Versace, Andrew Cunanan. Similarly, American Horror Story has seen guest cameos from Lady Gaga (for which she won a Golden Globe), Naomi Campbell and Adam Levine.
So, it should come as no surprise that only the very best were selected for The Prom.
In new pictures for the upcoming film a red-haired Streep is seen, she will be playing one of the Broadway actors Dee Dee Allen. As will Nicole Kidman - who last year starred alongside Streep in the second season of Big Little Lies. James Corden and Broadway actor and star of Girls Andrew Rannells will play the remaining two members of the disgruntled musical theatre stars - with photos showing sequins, jazz hands and dancing on tables.
The first reports suggested Ariana Grande was lined up to join the impressive cast too, however that is not the case. Instead another Ariana, Ariana DeBose a musical theatre star whose credits include the gamechanging Hamilton will play Emma's girlfriend, Alyssa. Her conservative mother - the head of the PTA who leads the ban - will be played by the brilliant Little Fires Everywhere's Kerry Washington.
Also joining the movie will be Keegan Michael Key who will star as the school's principal and an ally of Emma - who has been cast in newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman.
Is there a trailer for The Prom?
Yes. On October 22, Netflix released a two-minute teaser trailer for The Prom featuring a sassy 'Do you know who I am?' Meryl Streep, a stars and stripes suit-clad Andrew Rannells and plenty of singing, dancing and general joy.
When will The Prom come to Netflix?
The movie paused on filming during the Coronavirus pandemic but was up and running in summer so will still have a 2020 release.
The film will come to Netflix in the UK on December 11th, a perfect and heartwarming movie for that Christmas build-up.
Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
