In a major career move that has sent ripples through the entertainment industry, Adele is set to make her official acting debut in the forthcoming film by acclaimed designer and director Tom Ford.
A Star-Studded Cast for a Period Drama
The film will be an adaptation of Anne Rice's 1982 novel, Cry to Heaven, a dramatic story set in 18th-century Italy. Adele will be joining an impressive ensemble cast that includes Nicholas Hoult, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Oscar-winner Colin Firth.
The star-studded line-up also features Thandiwe Newton, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany, and rising star Owen Cooper. The 15-year-old Cooper, who became one of the youngest ever winners of a primetime Emmy for his role in the Netflix drama Adolescence, is also set to appear in Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights.
The Story and Production Timeline
Cry to Heaven tells the story of two unlikely collaborators striving for success in the world of opera: a Venetian noble and a castrated maestro from Calabria. The novel has been described by critics as "bold and erotic, laced with luxury, sexual tension, music".
This project marks Tom Ford's third feature film, following the Oscar-nominated A Single Man and the thriller Nocturnal Animals. Ford has previously expressed that his passion now lies more in filmmaking than fashion, stating his desire to spend the next 20 years of his life making movies.
The film is currently in pre-production in both London and Rome and is scheduled to begin shooting in January, with a release date anticipated for later in 2026.
Adele's Previous Brush with Acting
This is not the first time Adele has been linked to an acting role. She was previously rumoured to appear in Xavier Dolan's The Death and Life of John F. Donovan, the director of her Hello music video. While she ultimately did not appear in the film, which received poor reviews, she had expressed her interest in acting for Dolan.
The news of her casting comes after the singer announced she would be taking an indefinite break from music following a string of sell-out shows in Munich last year.
This adaptation continues a recent trend of Anne Rice's works being brought to screen, following new takes on Interview with the Vampire and Mayfair Witches.
