'Sanditon' Star Rose Willams to Lead Netflix Psychological Thriller 'Locked In'

Rose Williams as Charlotte Heywood in 'Sanditon' Season 2

Rose Williams as Charlotte Heywood in 'Sanditon' Season 2

Masterpiece

Although we'll be saying goodbye to the seaside resort town of Sanditon this spring, the period drama's third and final season won't be the last we see of its star Rose Williams on our screens. Eagle-eyed viewers likely remember seeing her in the period film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris starring Lesley Manville when it debuted in theaters over the summer. Her next project will probably put her squarely in front of even more eyeballs.

Williams has been cast as one of the leads in Netflix's upcoming British psychological thriller Locked In, where she is set to star opposite Famke Janssen. Most people are probably familiar with Janssen from her turn as Jean Grey in the original X-Men trilogy of films back in the early 2000s, but in recent years the actress has chosen more interesting, often niche-y roles on series like The CaptureHow to Get Away with Murder, and When they See Us. (And, in truth, we love to see an actress of her caliber thriving!)

But what's perhaps most intriguing about the Sanditon star's involvement in this project is how against type this role seems for her, particularly as she wraps up playing a quintessential Jane Austen heroine. (I can't be the only one who wants to see Charlotte Heywood break bad, is what I'm saying.) 

Famke Janssen in "The Capture" Season 1

Famke Janssen in "The Capture"

(Photo: BBC)

The film is the first feature directed by award-winner Nour Wazzi (The Last Bus). It will follow the story of Lina (Williams), an unhappy newlywed who frequently clashes with her brittle, damaged mother-in-law, Katherine (Janssen). An affair sets Lina on a journey of secrecy, betrayal, and murder — and a plot to seemingly destroy her. But who is the real victim, and who can she truly trust? 

Locked In will also star Alex Hassell (The Tragedy of Macbeth), Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders), and Anna Friel (Monarch), though there are no further details as yet about what sort of characters any of these three actors will be playing. 

The script is written by Rowan Joffé (28 Weeks Later), with Nicky Bentham producing for Neon Films. Alison Jackson (Tin Star) is executive producing for Gaumont.

Principal photography on Locked In is currently underway in London and is expected to continue over the next couple of months. Which likely means we could see a finished film before the end of the year. 


Lacy Baugher

Lacy's love of British TV is embarrassingly extensive, but primarily centers around evangelizing all things Doctor Who, and watching as many period dramas as possible.

Digital media type by day, she also has a fairly useless degree in British medieval literature, and dearly loves to talk about dream poetry, liminality, and the medieval religious vision. (Sadly, that opportunity presents itself very infrequently.) York apologist, Ninth Doctor enthusiast, and unabashed Ravenclaw. Say hi on Threads or Blue Sky at @LacyMB. 

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