Actress and writer Natalie Dormer launches new London-based production company, Dog Rose Productions. The producer will team up with new and experienced voices to create a variety of genres which explore stories and themes that transcend cultures and unite us as humans. Global producer and distributor, Fremantle, holds a multi-year first look deal with Dog Rose Productions to co-develop and distribute projects out of the partnership.
Having previously announced the development of “Vivling”, an event drama based on the life of the legendary British actress Vivien Leigh, Dog Rose Productions is now developing the brand-new series, “Spitfire Sisters” (WT, 8x60’) in collaboration with Fremantle. The new period series will be written by playwright and screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and tells the remarkable story of the forgotten female aviators of WWII.
Natalie Dormer commented: “This is a barely known story, a thrilling story; an important story ready to be told by such a passionate voice as Morgan’s.”
Morgan Lloyd Malcolm added: “It’s important to me, as a writer, to tell stories that have been ignored and to shine a light on perspectives that we have lacked for so long. ‘Spitfire Sisters is all about reframing the classic wartime genre and giving the many women, who were so important to the war effort, a chance to speak and quite literally fly. It’s always exciting to see representation of marginalized stories on our screens and stages and this project will hold so many within it. The heart of it is about joy and freedom and bravery. And these are three of the strongest emotions I have whilst working on it. It’s my dream project.”
Wartime drama, “Spitfire Sisters” is set in the midst of WWII and follows the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), the ‘glamour girls’ of the battle as they take on one of the most dangerous jobs in the war. Filled with empowerment, friendships, love, camaraderie, and deep tragedy and loss, the women of ATA were tasked with flying 90 different types of aircraft from base to base ready for the frontline. Female pilots from all over the world traveled to the UK to join the group but the glamour of being in the ATA came with the tragedy of flying during the war.
“Spitfire Sisters” is the war through the eyes of the women; the dangers they faced and their fight for acceptance and equality.
Morgan was commissioned by The Globe to write Emilia which became a hit show in summer 2018 before transferring to the West End in 2019. It has been optioned for film and she is currently in development on this as well as several TV drama and comedy projects. She is also developing a book adaptation for film with Lucky Chap Films and adapting her play The Wasp into a screenplay for Paradise City Films. She is under commission for stage with Headlong and Clean Break.
“Spitfire Sisters” will be written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, executive produced by Natalie Dormer and co-developed by Dog Rose Productions and Fremantle. Dog Rose’s Danielle Glaze-Adams will act as the development executive on the project.
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