Natalie Dormer Stars as Pediatric Oncologist in 'Audrey's Children'
Natalie Dormer in "Audrey's Children"
(Photo: Blue Harbor Entertainment)
Most (almost all?) Americans have undoubtedly heard of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides housing and support to millions of families in 62 countries around the world. But what you might be surprised to learn is that one of the organization's co-founders was British: Revolutionary pediatric oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans. And now a feature film is set to bring her story to life onscreen for the first time, with none other than Natalie Dormer (White Lies) set to star.
Set in 1970, Audrey's Children will follow Evans as she is recruited to run the Oncology Department at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (Fun fact: She was the first woman to hold the role of Chief of Oncology there, which naturally came with its own challenges and setbacks from the medical establishment.) During a time when 90% of patients were dying of cancer, Evans became a pioneer in the clinical study and treatment of childhood cancer.
Described as rebellious and unconventional, Evans frequently risked her career to overhaul treatment options and offer housing and support to the families of sick children. Her particular area of focus was neuroblastoma, and she ultimately reduced the mortality rate of the disease by about 50 percent.
“When Audrey’s Children came my way, I was shocked that Dr. Evans wasn’t already a household name,” Dormer said in a statement. “Her influence rippled across the world, touching millions of lives. Playing such an extraordinary woman was an honor I couldn’t pass up and I knew I had to take on the role immediately.”
Here's the film's synopsis.
Philadelphia. 1969. British physician, Dr. Audrey Evans, is newly recruited to a world-renowned children’s hospital and battles sexism, medical conventions, and the subterfuge of her peers to develop revolutionary treatments, purchase the first Ronald McDonald House for families of patients and, ultimately, impact the lives of millions of children around the world.
Alongside Dormer, the film also stars Jimmi Simpson (Black Mirror), Clancy Brown (The Penguin), and Brandon Micheal Hall (Poker Face).
Julia Fisher Farbman wrote the screenplay, which is based on years of research and conversations with Evans, who passed away just two weeks into the start of physical production on the film. Ami Canaan Mann (Looking for Alaska) directs.
“Dr. Evans was a force of nature, determined and tenacious. And always with the well-being of children at the forefront of everything she did,” Mann said. “She’s a lodestar, really, of how to walk through the world. And when I learned about her journey, I thought, ‘Yes, this is a story I need to help tell.’”
Executive producers include Susan Cartsonis, Suzanne Farwell, Brent Emery, and Clément Bauer of Resonate Entertainment, and Michael Leahy of Strike Accord. Farbman is a producer, with Amasia Entertainment’s Bradley Gallo and Michael Helfant.
Audrey's Children will be released in theaters on Friday, March 28, 2025.
