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4 September 2026

Frank and Percy to Receive World Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival

Frank and Percy will have its World Premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on the 13th October, with the film’s poster released today.

Golden Globe and Tony Award winner, six-time Laurence Olivier Award winner and Academy Award® nominee Ian McKellen (The Christophers, Gods and Monsters, Lord of the Rings) stars alongside three-time Laurence Olivier Award winner Roger Allam (The Queen, The Choral, Endeavour) in Frank and Percy – a tender, uplifting story of love, friendship and the courage to embrace new beginnings at any stage of life.

When Frank (Allam) a kind-hearted and charming widower, and Percy (McKellen), a witty and flamboyant bachelor, cross paths as they walk their beloved dogs on Hampstead Heath during a warm spring, casual chit-chat about heatwaves and London life slowly evolves into something deeper. As their friendship unexpectedly blossoms into something romantic, they must both decide if they should take a chance on love. Equally poignant and funny, Frank and Percy is a story of companionship, of finding connection and having the resilience and courage to remain open-hearted to the possibility of embracing that love.

“It’s never too late to fall in love”

Co-produced and financed by John Gore Studios and BK Studios, the film is adapted by award-winning screenwriter Martin Sherman (Mrs. Henderson Presents, Bent) from the West End hit play by Ben Weatherill. McKellen and Allam reprise their roles in this big screen adaptation, with the magic and intimacy of the play captured through a cinematic approach to storytelling by internationally acclaimed film and theatre director Sean Mathias (The Lost Language of Cranes, Hamlet and the award-winning Bent).

Set in and around London’s sumptuous Hampstead Heath, this uplifting story is brought to life with a stellar supporting cast including Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Stephen Fry (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Gosford Park), Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA winner Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer, Sunny Dancer), BAFTA winner Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous, Amandaland), Tony, Emmy and BAFTA winner Derek Jacobi (Murder on the Orient Express, Gladiator), BAFTA winner Siân Phillips (Summerland, Dune), Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education), Hugh Skinner (Wicked Little Letters, Fleabag) and Rob Brydon (The Trip, Gavin & Stacey).

This distinguished cast of celebrated old friends include three Dames and three Knights of the British Empire; three Dr Whos; veterans of the Royal Shakespeare and National Theatre Companies; collective winners of hundreds of awards for their performances on stage and screen.

Frank and Percy is a heart-warming, hopeful and humorous tale, inviting audiences of all ages to take a chance on love.

Coming soon to UK cinemas.