To mark Onwards and Sideways selection as part of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival 2026, further imagery from the film has been released.
After premiering as a TIFF Gala Presentation, this film from John Gore Studios and Hilltop Screen will be released in cinemas across the UK and US, ahead of its release on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The emotional and surprisingly funny film by John Madden stars BAFTA award-winning Rhys Ifans (Inheritance, Venom: The Last Dance, House of the Dragon) as Tony Evans, along with three- time Oscar® award-nominee, Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning Laura Linney (Ozark, Love Actually, You Can Count on Me) as Emma Dretzin.
Joining Rhys and Laura are Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Sherwood, Black Mirror) as Liz Evans, and Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Bank of Dave) as Professor Ridge.
Onwards and Sidewaysis written by Paul Mayhew-Archer (The Vicar of Dibley, Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot, and co-host of award-winning Parkinson’s podcast Movers and Shakers). It is directed by Oscar® award-nominee John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Operation Mincemeat, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), and composed by his long-term collaborator and multiple Oscar® nominated Thomas Newman. Produced by Hilltop Screen for John Gore Studios and the BBC. Kaleidoscope Film Distribution is representing worldwide sales, with CAA Media Finance co-repping in North America. Icon Film Distribution will release the film theatrically in the UK.
Tony Evans is deputy head of a primary school. Emma Dretzin is a musician and composer, and single mother of two daughters. Neither knows the other. Until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives. On the same morning, these two are confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.
This film is the story of Tony and Emma – a friendship which unfolds unexpectedly. A story of humour and emotion, of challenge and courage, of music and dance – transcending the assumptions of a little understood condition, and triumphing over the odds to find joy, release and love.
Onwards and Sideways, a film by John Madden and written by Paul Mayhew-Archer, is produced by Hilary Bevan Jones and John Gore. The executive producers are Hilary Strong, Francis Hopkinson, Paul Mayhew-Archer, Ellie Wood,Helen Flint, Rhys Ifans, and John Madden with Lucy Richer for the BBC. Alfie Johnson is co-producer.