Joanna David has joined the cast of the television adaptation of Raynor Winn's bestselling memoir, The Salt Path. The project, which marks the directorial debut of three-time Tony Award-winning theatre director Marianne Elliott, stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.
The story follows Raynor 'Ray' Winn (Anderson) and her husband Moth (Isaacs), who after learning Moth has a terminal illness and losing their home due to a failed business deal, decide to walk the 634-mile South West Coast Path from Somerset to Dorset. The memoir of their journey spent two years on bestseller lists.
Elliott read the book during the pandemic and was drawn to its visual potential. She approached producer Elizabeth Karlsen of Number 9 Films, who discovered that Beatriz and Lloyd Levin had already acquired the rights through their production company Shadowplay Features. The Levins agreed to share the rights only if Elliott directed.
The film was shot over several weeks in spring 2023. Elliott noted that she was attracted to the story because it features an older woman protagonist who loses everything, including her looks, and does something extraordinary. She aimed to create a film that was visually driven, distinct from her theatre work.
Anderson was cast after expressing interest in the book, while Isaacs was recommended by the casting director. The film had its press screening at the Toronto Film Festival and will have its world premiere on September 12.
