Summerland trailer: Gemma Arterton reunites with Nell Gwynn playwright Jessica Swale for new film

Exclusive: Period drama's 'necessary in these months of uncertainty and fear'

The stars of play Nell Gwynn have reunited with playwright Jessica Swale for a new film that’s on the cusp of release.

Period drama Summerland follows a reclusive writer, played by Gemma Arterton, who adopts a young London evacuee during the Second World War.

Summerland – which also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw – marks Swale’s film debut. Her plays include Blue Stockings and Nell Gwynn.

The latter starred Mbatha-Raw after premiering at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2015, with Arterton taking over for the play’s West End run a year later.

She is currently working on a film adaptation of Nell Gwynn.

Speaking about Summerland, Swale said: “Fundamentally it’s a movie with a great big heart, and in these months of uncertainty and fear, I think stories with optimism woven into their seams have never been more necessary,

“Whilst it’s arguably a tricky time to be bringing out a new movie, it feels like a great privilege to get to tell this story right now. We need film. Perhaps more than ever. And it feels very special to be part of this moment.”

New film ‘Summerland‘ reunites Gemma Arterton with playwright Jess Swale (Lionsgate)

Tom Courtenay and Penelope Wilton co-star in the film, which will move ahead with a cinema release on 31 July.