If, like me, you're a huge period drama fan, then you'll want to have The Education of Jane Cumming on your radar.
The upcoming period drama is based on a court case that scandalised 19th century Scotland, telling the true story of teachers Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods, who were accused by their pupil of being lovers.
© HeimatfilmThe film stars Flora Nicholson (Hanna), Clare Dunne (Kin), and Mia Tharia (The Listeners), who received a BIFA nomination for Best Joint Lead Performance. They're joined by Fiona Shaw, known for her roles in Killing Eve, Bad Sisters and the upcoming Pride and Prejudice series.
Intrigued? Here's all we know about the film so far.
© HeimatfilmWhat is The Education of Jane Cumming about?
Set in 1800s Edinburgh, the film follows teachers Jane Pirie (Flora Nicholson) and Marianne Woods (Clare Dunne) as they embark on their dream of an independent life and open a boarding school. But their lives are forever changed when a wealthy aristocrat enrols her "illegitimate" 15-year-old grandchild from India, Jane Cumming (Mia Tharia).
© HeimatfilmThe teachers struggle to integrate Jane into school life, and she remains an outsider among the pupils. When Jane's grandmother insists the teachers look after her over the summer, private and professional lines blur as an affection develops and the trio form an unlikely family.
The synopsis continues: "Tensions rise as the new term begins. The teachers are overwhelmed with the girl's increasing desire for closeness and their own changing relationship. As Jane begins to feel excluded from her new family, she makes a scandalous accusation: that Miss Pirie and Miss Woods are lovers."
The legal battle that followed would last over a decade and rocked the Scottish establishment to such a degree that the papers were kept locked away for 100 years.
© HeimatfilmThe film is co-written by Sophie Heldman and Flora Nicholson, who plays Miss Pirie, and inspired by the book Scotch Verdict by Lillian Faderman.
Who else stars in the film?
The drama also stars Sadie Shimmin as Ann Woods, Rebecca Martin as Alexandra Dunbar, Amy Louise Walker as Margot Dunbar, Eva McMurray as Little Miss Hunter and Frankie Corio (Aftersun) as Mary Cunynghame.
The Education of Jane Cumming arrives in UK and Irish cinemas 22 January 2027.
