Acclaimed British actor Martin Freeman has secured a significant new role in the forthcoming film Oddly Flowers, joining a star-studded cast that includes House of the Dragon actress Emily Carey. The project, based on Jessica Grant's novel Come, Thou Tortoise, is set to commence principal photography next week, marking a major addition to Freeman's distinguished career portfolio.
Plot and Character Details
The narrative of Oddly Flowers centres on a young woman named Audrey, whose sheltered life is dramatically upended following her father's untimely death. Isolated during the Christmas season, she embarks on a profound investigation into her mysterious childhood and the unexplained disappearance of her beloved pet mouse. With assistance from the charismatic inventor Judd, portrayed by Alex Eling, Audrey undertakes a transformative journey from Newfoundland to England in search of relatives she was previously forbidden from knowing.
Star-Studded Ensemble Cast
Martin Freeman will portray Walter, Audrey's eccentric scientist father, while Emily Carey takes the lead role of Audrey herself. The supporting cast features Sam Spruell as Uncle Thoby, alongside seasoned performers Alistair Petrie, Lindsay Duncan, and Melanie Nicholls-King, creating a formidable ensemble of British acting talent.
Jordan Canning serves as writer, director, and producer for the film, expressing deep personal connection to the material. "I've been carrying this story with me for more than 15 years – ever since I first read Jessica Grant's remarkable novel and began imagining its world on screen," Canning revealed. "To finally bring it to life with a cast of this calibre is beyond anything I allowed myself to hope for. This has been a long journey, but having such an extraordinary group of actors at the heart of the film makes the wait entirely worthwhile."
Production Schedule and Release
Filming is scheduled to initiate next week in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, with production subsequently relocating to Cornwall and London towards the end of March. The film is slated for release across Canada in 2027, though a European premiere date remains unconfirmed at this stage.
Freeman's Personal Life Insights
The announcement coincides with recent revelations about Martin Freeman's relationship with French actress Rachel Benaissa, aged 31. The couple, first linked in 2020 and publicly confirming their romance in 2021, have navigated a 23-year age difference with apparent harmony. During an appearance on Jessie Ware's Table Manners podcast in 2025, Freeman offered glimpses into their domestic life, noting shared culinary interests.
"She's not a Cordon Bleu. She's a massive cheese and wine. That's what she would say about herself," Freeman remarked about Benaissa. "She says that about herself, 'I'm a cheese and wine.' It's not all she is, but no, she loves all that stuff. We like cooking."
The relationship, now spanning approximately four years, has seen Benaissa integrate with Freeman's family, attending the premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever alongside his children in 2022. Both maintain relatively private personal lives despite occasional public appearances at red carpet events.
Rachel Benaissa has established her own acting credentials through roles in BBC drama Normal People, Channel 4 comedy This Way Up, and the 2023 Netflix Christmas film Irish Wish starring Lindsay Lohan.
