Sophie Thatcher, Erin Kellyman, and Joe Alwyn Set to Lead Witch Hunt Thriller ‘Cavendish’

Sophie Thatcher, Erin Kellyman, and Joe Alwyn are set to star in Cavendish, a savage new thriller that drags audiences straight into the blood-soaked paranoia of 17th century witch hunts.

Directed by Christopher Andrews, the film promises a brutal mix of violence and dark humor—twisting historical horror into something far more unhinged.

Set in 1645, Cavendish follows a privileged young bride (Thatcher) whose wedding day turns into a nightmare when she’s accused of witchcraft. Hunted by a relentless witch finder (Alwyn), her survival hinges on an unlikely alliance with a sharp-tongued outcast poacher (Kellyman).

What starts as desperation quickly spirals into something far more dangerous, as the two women flip the script—turning fear into fury and powerlessness into violent rebellion.

The project is being produced by Ivana MacKinnon and Emily Leo (Wild Swim Films), alongside Rosa Attab and Jacqueline De Croy (January Films), with Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska and Bogna Szewczyk-Skupien (Madants) also producing.

Developed with BBC Film and backed by the Polish Film Institute, production is set to begin this September in Poland.

Cornerstone Films will handle international sales, while CAA Media Finance oversees domestic rights.

Cornerstone describes Cavendish as a rare breed—a British period thriller that feels “fresh, brutal, and wickedly entertaining,” with a sharp edge that tears apart traditional roles and expectations.

Meanwhile, Thatcher continues to rise fast. She’ll next appear in Her Private Hell from Nicolas Winding Refn, premiering at Cannes Film Festival, and return for the final season of Yellowjackets, currently filming for a late 2026 release.

If Cavendish delivers on its promise, expect a vicious, revenge-fueled descent into hysteria—where the real horror isn’t witchcraft… it’s the people hunting it.