Calling Bridgerton fans: Regency romance Mr Malcolm’s List announced

For all those looking to scratch that Bridgerton itch, look no further.

New romantic drama Mr. Malcolm’s List has just been announced and it has all the ingredients of a perfect Regency film: romance, drama and plot twists.

Adapted from the book of the same name by Suzanne Allain, Mr Malcolm’s List will be directed by first-time filmmaker Emma Holly Jones and stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Mr Malcolm himself.

The film will follow the titular hero as he hunts for a bride that matches the list of qualifications he’s looking for (Bridgerton vibes, anyone?).

Unfortunately, he gets more than he bargains for with Julia Thistlewaite and Selina Dalton. Played by Zawe Ashton and Freida Pinto, the two women hatch a plot to get revenge after Mr Malcolm rejects Julia for not meeting his criteria.

Needless to say, all does not go accordingly to plan – for either Mr Malcolm or the two ladies.

Alongside the star characters, the cast will also include Oliver Jackson-Cohen as the sociable Lord Cassidy, Ashley Park as Gertie Covington and Theo James as Captain Henry Ossory.

The film itself started life as a short feature and passion project for Jones, who came across it through being married to the founder of screenplay platform Black List Franklin Leonard.

After directing the short feature, she secured funding and the film will now be released by Bleecker Street.

In addition to the rather breathless plot, Mr Malcolm’s List is also similar to Bridgerton (though it predates Bridgerton in terms of development) in its use of a diverse cast, with director Jones being inspired by seeing the musical Hamilton on Broadway.

As a result, British Nigerian actor Dìrísù will be playing the title role despite previously being indifferent to period dramas. “There were no stories of color being told in those films,” he told Vanity Fair. “Many young, white British actors would leave drama school and get a period drama, and that would be their route to success.”

However, Jones has called Dìrísù “the new Mr Darcy” and says “it’s him, or we don’t make the film.”

“It’s the best decision I ever made,” she explained. “He’s handsome, he’s talented, he’s gentle, he’s complex.”

Mr. Malcolm’s List will be in cinemas from July 1.