The film tells the story of a woman who is grieving the death of her father and becoming obsessed with training a goshawk
An upcoming film hailed as an “unconventional yet moving grief drama” by Variety is set to hit the big screen soon.
Based on Helen Macdonald’s bestselling memoir, the film follows Helen, a woman grappling with the loss of her father, Alisdair Macdonald, portrayed by Brendan Gleeson.
Other stars such as Sam Spruell, Josh Dylan, Denise Gough, Lindsay Duncan, Emma Cunniffe and Arty Froushan also feature in the film.
The much-anticipated movie, H is for Hawk, will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 23 January 2026, with a new trailer now available for viewing.
Overwhelmed by grief, Helen finds solace in memories of exploring the natural world with her father, reports the Express.
She becomes fixated on the idea of training her own goshawk, introducing us to Mabel.
The synopsis further reveals: “As she labours to tame Mabel, a grieving Helen undergoes an untaming of her own.”
H is for Hawk is a record of a spiritual journey, a story about memory and nature and how it might be possible to reconcile death with life and love.
The drama has already received positive feedback following its premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival in August, boasting a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82%.
Geek Vibes Nation commended the lead cast, stating: “Foy’s emotionally resonant performance is a genuine depiction of grief, while Gleeson anchors the movie with his tender and engaging acting.”
Next Best Picture also chimed in, adding: “Whatever one makes of the title, Claire Foy’s performance alone is reason enough to see it.
“She soars in a role that proves once again why she is among the finest actors working today.”
The Hollywood Reporter concluded: “As an appreciation of birds and our connection to them, it’s engrossing and endearing — a fresher take, certainly, than yet another weepie about dog or cat owners.
“But as an exploration of grief, it’s hindered by a 128-minute run time.”
H is for Hawk will be hitting UK and Ireland cinemas on January 23.
Mudtown, set in Newport, Wales, centres around magistrate Claire Lewis Jones (portrayed by Erin Richards), who finds herself in a dilemma when her childhood friend’s daughter is accused of arson.
Claire’s personal and professional worlds collide as she attempts to preside over the case. Adding to the complexity, her ex-lover and local gangster Saint Pete (Tom Cullen) re-enters her life, seeking her assistance in court.
She finds herself torn between divided loyalties and ensuring justice is served.
Mudtown was co-created by Keeping Faith actor and writer Hannah Daniels along with real-life magistrate Georgia Lee.
In an exclusive chat with Reach Screen Time, lead stars Cullen and Richards shared their thoughts on joining the series.
Downton Abbey’s Tom Cullen plays Saint Pete in Mudtown
Cullen confessed he’d been extremely hesitant about accepting the role of crime boss Saint Pete, despite having portrayed real-life gangster Johnny Palmer in BBC’s The Gold.
He revealed: “On a personal level, Pete is a character that I’ve never really got to play before and when they offered it to me, I was absolutely terrified and confused as to why they wanted me to play this character.
“And I was absolutely terrified of the prospect of playing because I thought it was way beyond my reach, capabilities as an actor and for that reason, also, I decided to do it, to scare myself.”
Explaining his decision to join Mudtown, Cullen said: “Lots attracted me to the show. Just on a script-level, I found it really interesting.
Erin Richards plays a magistrate in legal drama Mudtown(Image: UKTV)
“I thought that its themes really resonated with me and the socio-political aspect to it about the choices we make and what choices do we have when we grow up in certain areas, and the different paths a certain decision can make, I found that really interesting. I also thought that the characters were so complex.”
He revealed he was also attracted to the project due to the opportunity to work in his native Wales, which he rarely got to do and “work with friends” he’d “known for years”, describing it as a “joyous experience”.
The Crown and Gotham star Richards confessed she had similar motivations for joining Mudtown, admitting she was also drawn to the chance to work in Wales and be near her family.
“It was such a dream and it was the first job I did since having my son, who is now two-and-a-half, but was one, and just the ability to come home every night and see him and sleep in my own bed, and travel to Newport which is somewhere I’ve never been before but obviously visited a lot,” she said.
Richards and Cullen have been friends for years after starring in a film together when they were just 16, which she confessed boosted their on-screen spark and transformed her acting.
The actress revealed: “I had a specific idea of who Claire was and I was playing her a certain way, and then when I would do the scenes with Tom, she would like change a little bit and I didn’t plan for that to happen.
Tom Cullen admitted he was terrified of his Mudtown role(Image: UKTV)
“But I think just because of the history that Tom and I have and how much we know about each other, it really reflected how Claire and Saint Pete were together. It was a really dynamic we had as friends but also had as characters.”
The programme was filmed back-to-back in English and Welsh, like numerous Welsh productions including the aforementioned Keeping Faith and The Light in the Hall.
Recording simultaneously in both languages meant the Welsh-speaking actors would begin in one tongue for a scene and then switch to the other language for the following scene depending on the take.
Richards confessed: “It was a real mind-bending thing at the beginning, but then halfway through I got used to it and my brain would just do it and click into place.”
The performer got ready for the part by observing magistrates courts in both Cardiff and Newport, discovering how it operated and acknowledged she was “surprised” that more programmes about the court hadn’t been created. Addressing the possibility of a second season, Richards teased: “I think the final episode, the final scene leaves it open to another series. I would love to do one. Cullen added: “I’d love to do one. We’ll see how it goes, fingers crossed.”
Mudtown is available on U&alibi from August 29 at 9pm, available on Sky, Virgin Media and NOW
The series, promising to be a “faithful, classic adaptation of the novel”, will see The Diplomat star Rufus Sewell as Mr Bennet, with Freya Mavor as Jane Bennet and Heartstopper alumnus Rhea Norwood as Lydia Bennet.
Rounding off the Bennet sisterhood are newcomers Hollie Avery and Hopey Parish in their debut roles of Kitty and Mary. Louis Partridge will take on Mr Wickham, with Stath Lets Flats star Jamie Demetriou as the pompous Mr Collins.
Last to join the cast is Killing Eve star Fiona Shaw as the fearsome Lady Catherine de Bourg, Daryl McCormack as Mr Bingley and Siena Kelly as Caroline Bingley.
Pride and Prejudice, one of the most iconic novels of all time, is being adapted into a six-part limited series for the streamer.
Austen’s beloved works have enraptured generations for hundreds of years and her most famous and widely-read novel, Pride and Prejudice has inspired countless writers and filmmakers.
Executive producer Dolly Alderton said: “Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it.
“Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy – it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life.
“With Euros Lyn directing our stellar cast, I am so excited to reintroduce these hilarious and complicated characters to those who count Pride and Prejudice as their favourite book, and those who are yet to meet their Lizzie and Mr Darcy.”
Newcomer Hopey Parish will play Mary
Previously announced stars joining the cast are The Crown’s Emma Corrin and Olivia Colman, and Slow Horses star Jack Lowden.
Forget MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace and John Torode, Jessica Boulton’s ruthless rundown of the showbiz week reveals the EIGHT stories you should be talking about instead….. including the only cancelled BBC star who actually deserves our tears
Jessica Boulton works on the Mirror’s features desk, specialising in celebrity features and interviews. She also writes a weekly observational comedy column Jess Saying, which runs each Saturday. In addition, she oversees the entertainment pages, helps co-ordinate the Pride of Britain coverage and newsletter and guest edits The Diary. Jessica joined The Mirror’s sister paper The People in 2006, and has since worked on the Sunday Mirror and Now magazine. Most likely to be found raving about The Oscars, BAFTAs, Netflix, Friends or Star Wars.
Naked yoga, novel book launches, British Emmy nominations and one very heated situation in the Masterchef kitchen….Jess Boulton takes a no-holds-barred dive into this week’s most bizarre showbiz shenanigans
Daily Mirror Columnist Jessica Boulton brings you Jess Saying, her wry, witty and slightly whimsical take on the heroes and villains, winners and losers and the outright outrageous showbiz shenanigans keeping us amused this week. So….where better to start than….
JUSTICE FOR BBC ICON MONDAY
I’ve always considered myself to be woke. I’m left-wing, open-minded and look good in red (in the UK, definitely not in the US). I’d fully support trigger warnings on Bambi and The Lion King. And I’d argue there should be one on Titanic (for “scenes of disturbing door hoggery”). But this week I’m afraid to say, even I think the woke world has gone too far. For a true BBC icon has outrageously and undeservedly been cancelled. It’s a sad, sad state of affairs after 30 years of excellence. But it’s a sign of the times: one day everyone loves you and the next…you’re persona non grata, written off as a bad fit for the Gen Zs of today (who don’t watch TV anyway, so why are we pandering?). So which iconic BBC veteran has been tragically stripped of work this week? Clue: they first appeared in 1995 – and won millions of fans overnight. Yes, you’ve guessed it. There’s only one BBC star I’m weeping for: Mr Darcy. Well, his Wet White Shirt, to be precise.
Colin Firth’s Wet White Shirt makes its TV debut in BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. It went on to become a TV icon in its own right (Image: BBC)
For three decades, the sterling performance of Colin Firth’s infamous Pride and Prejudice shirt has never been equalled. But its outstanding contribution to entertainment has now been called into question – over fears it’s been objectifying men. Yup. It’s true. Some buttoned-up bores at Netflix are currently debating what’ll make the cut and what won’t in their upcoming P&P remake.
But then I realised I’d got the wrong end of the stick…I’m only teasing of course. But I do have two little points I’d like to flag to people’s attention:
POINT 1. What else would Netflix need to change to fit a more ‘2025-friendly’ adaptation? Jane’s famous first line definitely loses a certain something after my woke rewrite:
“It is a truth universally acknowledged – but not necessarily accepted as we each have our ‘own truth’ – that a single man, sorry, dependent-free gender-neutral individual, in possession of a ‘good fortune’ (aka,a disproportionate amount of wealth thanks to genetic privilege and the unjust dominance of patriarchy), must be – although is under no obligation to be and will face no judgment if they are not – in want of a wife…..or a loving relationship that equally fulfils the needs of both you and your consenting partner/partners, but does not necessarily adhere to any societal expectations.”
Jonathan Bailey said this scene in Netflix’s Bridgerton was a homage to Colin Firth’s white shirt in 1995’s Pride & Prejudice (Image: LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX)
NAKED AMBITION TUESDAY
The Primetime Emmy nominations are finally in! Adolescence was the UK’s biggest contender this year – with nods including Best Actor for Stephen Graham and Best Supporting for 15-year-old Owen Cooper (I’d argue it should be reversed).
Meanwhile, leading the way with a mindblowing 27 noms was Apple’s truly genius Severance – a drama in which people clock off at 5pm and all memory of work from that day is completely wiped. (You can decide for yourselves if that’s a good thing or not.)
The most delightful Emmy news of all? Nobody Wants This, with my all-time celeb faves Adam Brody and Kristen Bell, landed nods for best comedy series, actor and actress. It was an achievement Kristen’s hubby Dax Shepard immediately celebrated with this pic – of Kristen’s naked yoga workout.
Dax posted this picture of Kristen doing naked yoga to celebrate her Emmy nod
Dax Shepard and the newly-Emmy-nominated Kristen Bell (Image: WireImage)
I’m not married, so maybe I’m wrong… But should Dax really have gone so very public with his congratulations? A great big bear bare hug may have been the better choice.
The poor BBC now has an entire as-yet-unreleased pre-recorded series of MasterChef with not one but TWO disgraced hosts. That’s got to be tough to swallow. It also explains the reasoning behind one of its latest new hires. For even wholesome Blue Peter has had its share of scandalous stars…
So when faced with finding its latest prestigious presenter, the Beeb hired someone who’s been nothing but a safe pair of hands their whole career. Some might even go as far to say he’s the perfect corporate puppet.….(see below).
CBBC stalwart Hacker T. Dog has landed a top job on Blue Peter, no strings attached. He’ll join Shini Muthukrishnan, Abby Cook, Joel Mawhinney, and Henry the Labrador as the first non-human presenter(Image: PA)
FISHING FOR INSULTS? THURSDAY
Gregg and John might be in for a grilling over their alleged behaviour, but another under-fire celeb, Sacha Baron Cohen, was probably feeling a little, um, roasted this week. Yes, his actress ex-wife Isla Fisher has not had the most amicable of splits with Da Ali G and Borat actor. So some social media users took her quip on Instagram to be a tiny dig at his expense (literally). The Confessions Of A Shopaholic star wrote: “For all the men who say ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?’, here’s an update for you. “Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why?
In happier times: Isla Fisher gets her hands on a cardboard cut-out of her then-husband Borat, aka Sacha Baron Cohen(Image: COPYRIGHT UNKNOWN)
“Because women realise it’s not worth buying an entire pig… just to get a little sausage.” No porkies there! I’d rather bring home the bacon alone than be stuck with a man who’s the literal wurst. So, bravo, Isla! That took proper chops.
FACING FACTS FRIDAY
You can’t make this one up. And to be fair, whatever you say about Katie Price, at least she can take the mickey out of herself. Which is why she’s made a startling admission this week. Apparently Katie was travelling and got pulled over by security at passport control – because she’s had so many trips under the knife, the scanners couldn’t recognise her passport photo. Yes, Katie might have been accused of being two-faced in the past, but, as she’ll admit herself, she’s been through at least 10 of them now. On the upside, it’s something to add to her CV next time she’s bankrupt. After all, everyone wants their staff to multi-faceted nowadays.
PICTURE OF THE WEEK
She’s always been a woman with Klass. So it’s good to see Myleene hasn’t let her newly-award MBE go to her head. Ahem.
Myleene Klass MBE is keeping things real as she takes a quick soak(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Yes, Myleene was presented the honour this week after her tireless charity work, including raising the awareness of the emotional toll of miscarriage. But it looks like the Hear’Say singer might be taking the honour a little too literally.
For the morning after receiving the medal – alongside fellow honouree Leona Lewis OBE – Myleene posted this bathtime snap.
Umm….It looks like you’ve got a little something in your hair, Myleene. To be fair, it could have been worse. She could have posted a snap of her in her tiara….sitting on the throne.
JESS A QUICKIE:
Myleene’s not the only one having some bathroom fun. Charlotte Crosby decided to promote her new fiction tome by sitting in a bath of books. It makes sense: she’s always swimming with novel ideas.* *Sorry I couldn’t help myself
I mean, it’s probably better than a bath of baked beans, but it’s not what they mean when they say relax in the tub with a good book, Charlotte!
What do you think? Let me know in the comments or via IG/X @JessicaBoulton
Watch Stranger Things on Netflix for free with Sky
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Over 13,000 shops closed across the UK last year – including thousands of independents – but Stamford’s high street continues to flourish and there’s a reason why
Toby Codd, Photos by Adam Gerrard and Mariam Khan
17:20, 22 Jun 2025
Whilst other retailers may be feeling the pinch, Stamford retailers are thriving (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Express)
High streets across the nation are facing closures, with many empty shopfronts, but one little town is thriving instead.
Stamford, a market town with a population of just over 20,000 in Lincolnshire, boasts the most listed buildings for a town of its size, with more than 600, and is home to around 170 independent shops. Whilst other retailers may be feeling the pinch, Stamford continues to buck the national trend, with businesses thriving thanks to a loyal community, a strong tourist pull and a close-knit network of traders supporting one another, the Express reports.
“The message is pretty clear – use us or lose us,” says Ben Stevenson, owner of jewellery shop Rubirox, which just marked its 15th birthday. “If you want us to stay here then you need to keep shopping in the town. And people do! It’s a great town to be based in.”
Just one of the colourful shopfronts in Stamford(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Express)
Rubirox sits proudly on St Mary’s Street – crowned the UK’s best high street for independent shops last year. Ben credits the success to Stamford’s unique sense of community and said: “A lot of the locals want to support their businesses.”
Over 13,000 shops closed across the UK last year – including thousands of independents – but Stamford’s high street continues to flourish. Sarah Sewell, who runs Energy Clothing and is chair of Shop Stamford, started the initiative to promote the town’s shops eight years ago.
Ben Stevenson from Rubirox.(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Express)
“We’ve got a good regular customer base from the local community,” she says. “That sense of trust we’ve built over time.”
Their annual Little Book of Stamford highlights shops, includes a town map, and is distributed around local hotels and campsites. Shop Stamford started on social media as a campaign to promote the town but now it’s in its fifth edition being published as a book as disturbed widely so when people arrive they can get their hands on it and know exactly what’s on offer.
Markets play a vital role in the town’s success, with over 70 stalls filling Broad Street and Ironmonger Street every Friday. From produce and flowers these markets along the farmers’ markets and weekend stalls in Red Lion Square regularly draw crowds to the town.
The quaint town draws visitors thanks to its community spirit(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Express)
Stamford’s historical charm also keeps the visitors coming. Burghley House, a grand Elizabethan mansion just outside the town, was used as Windsor Castle in The Crown, while Pride and Prejudice fans might recognise scenes shot in the town centre.
For Molly Clegg, who runs Murano Silver, the town’s success lies in its community of shops, not competition. “You can have the best shop in the world but if you’re the only shop in the town, you’re trying to bring people in yourself,” she says.
“Because there’s lots of us, and we work well together as a community, it brings people to the town rather than to an individual place. I’m not the only jewellers’ in Stamford, there are other brilliant ones here. But we always refer each other to customers.”
Support from local landlords also plays a role. Nicholas Rudd-Jones, who helps produce the Little Book of Stamford, says: “You get relatively smaller scale landlords in Stamford who own 20 to 30 properties and favour the independent sector. This is quite important in helping the businesses.”
Molly Clegg from Murano Silver. (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Express)
Stamford has also held onto its reputation as a top spot for a weekend break or relaxing day out. The Crown Hotel, a coaching inn dating back to the 1800s remains a staple.
“You can come here and have a coffee, have your brunch, have your lunch, do some shopping, you can have an hour wandering around looking at architecture, you can visit a church. We’ve got the whole experience here,” says its owner Michael Thurlby.
He says even in November, business is steady.
It seems that Stamford has found the perfect mix to keep thriving and to keep its community happy and it all comes down to community and neighbourly spirit, businesses working together to bring in crowds and promote one another and landlords being invested in businesses thriving.
