Judi Dench to Star as Queen Victoria in Stephen Frears' VICTORIA AND ABDUL

Variety reports that Judi Dench will take on the role of Queen Victoria in VICTORIA AND ABDUL, to be helmed by Stephen Frears. Production is expected to get underway this year for a 2017 release.

Lee Hall penned the screenplay based on Shrabani Basu's book "Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant." Hall received an Oscar nomination for her work on "Billy Elliot."

According to the press announcement of "Victoria and "Abdul," the film tells "the extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria's remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim, a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen's Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to destroy. As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity."

Dench previously portrayed Queen Victoria in "Mrs. Brown," for which she received an Oscar nomination. She won an Academy Award for portraying Queen Elizabeth I in "Shakespeare in Love." She has also received Oscar nods for her performances in "Chocolat," "Iris," Frears' "Mrs. Henderson Presents," "Notes on a Scandal" and Frears' "Philomena."

Photos by RD / Retna, LLC.

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