In a dramatic scene filmed last week on Hampstead Heath in north London, Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz was seen being forcefully apprehended by a policeman, pinned to the ground while appearing visibly distressed and dishevelled. These exclusive pictures, however, capture not a real-life arrest but a pivotal moment from the set of her upcoming psychological thriller, Séance on a Wet Afternoon, a remake of the 1964 classic.
Star-Studded Cast and Intriguing Plot
Weisz, 56, stars alongside Succession actor Matthew Macfadyen in this highly anticipated film. The plot centres on Myra, portrayed by Weisz, a troubled self-proclaimed psychic who manipulates her devoted husband Billy, played by Macfadyen, into assisting with the kidnapping of a wealthy family's son. Myra believes this drastic act will allow her to prove her psychic abilities by locating the missing child, but as the plan spirals dangerously out of control, Billy begins to realise his wife's obsessive behaviour could lead to their mutual destruction.
Filming Details and On-Set Moments
During the shoot, Weisz was dressed in a Sixties-style peacoat and leather gloves, adding authenticity to the period setting as she was thrust to the ground during the arrest sequence. Macfadyen, 51, was also spotted on set looking downcast while filming scenes with police officers, further emphasising the tense atmosphere of the production.
The film's cast includes Joe Alwyn, known for his previous relationship with pop star Taylor Swift and roles in The Brutalist and Hamnet. Alwyn, 35, was observed sprinting across the set and embracing co-star Julia Franz Richter between takes, highlighting the dynamic filming process.
Prestigious Background and Creative Team
Séance on a Wet Afternoon is based on Mark McShane's 1961 novel, with the original 1964 adaptation featuring Kim Stanley and Richard Attenborough in lead roles and earning Stanley an Oscar nomination. This new version promises similar prestige, with a script by Jack Thorne, writer of Adolescence, and direction by Tomas Alfredson, acclaimed for the 2011 film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
Weisz's Career and Upcoming Projects
Weisz, married to former James Bond actor Daniel Craig, won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for The Constant Gardener in 2005. She is currently receiving critical acclaim for her role in Netflix's drama Vladimir, where she plays a married professor drawn to a young student portrayed by Leo Woodall. Séance on a Wet Afternoon is scheduled for release next year, adding to her impressive filmography.
