Finnish filmmaker Zaida Bergroth, known for Tove, is set to direct the upcoming biopic Marianne, which will chronicle the tumultuous life and career of legendary singer Marianne Faithfull. The Witcher star Freya Allan has been cast in the lead role, portraying the iconic artist who passed away in January. British actor and musician Jojo Macari, recognised for his performances in Sex Education and Those About to Die, will take on the role of rock legend Mick Jagger.
Currently in pre-production, Marianne promises an in-depth look at Faithfull’s extraordinary life, from her rise to fame as an innocent pop sensation and actor to her years as a muse and long-time partner of Jagger. The story will explore her struggles with homelessness and addiction before highlighting her remarkable resurgence as a celebrated artist.
Produced by Julia Taylor-Stanley of Artemis Films and Finnish producer Roosa Toivonen, Marianne represents a renewed attempt to bring Faithfull’s life story to the screen after a previously planned biopic failed to materialise. The screenplay is co-written by Taylor-Stanley and Bergroth. Bergroth's previous work includes the biopic Tove, which explored the life of Finnish-Swedish artist and Moomins creator Tove Jansson.
Faithfull, who passed away on January 30 in London at the age of 78, rose to fame in 1964 with her breakout single 'As Tears Go By', co-written by Rolling Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham alongside Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Her career took a dramatic turn when, alongside Jagger and Richards, she became a fixture of the London tabloids. A pivotal moment came in February 1967 when she was caught up in a drug bust at Richards’ Sussex estate, Redlands. During the infamous raid, Faithfull was reportedly wearing nothing but a fur rug, leading to sensationalised headlines.
By the early 1970s, Faithfull had fallen into homelessness, living on the streets of London. However, her musical career saw a stunning revival with the release of her critically acclaimed 1979 album 'Broken English', which cemented her as a resilient and influential figure in music history.
