Olivia Colman, Tom Hardy Land Roles In Ipswich Prostitute Murder

Olivia Colman has been cast in the upcoming film adaptation of London Road, the National Theatre musical about the real life Ipswich prostitute serial killings. Colman will reportedly play Julie, a Neighbourhood Watch volunteer who works to revive the sense of community spirit lost in the wake of the five terrifying killings, according to The Telegraph.

Olivia Colman Has Been Cast In The Stage-To-Film Adaptation Of ‘London Road.’

The film will show Julie doing her bit to raise spirits by organising a local ‘in bloom’ competition to spruce up the area with floral displays. The Broadchurch actress will star alongside The Dark Knight Rises star Tom Hardy, who will play a taxi driver, and EastEnder’s Anita Dobson will play one of the town’s residents.

Colman Will Play A Neighbourhood Watch Member Who Works To Lift The Community Spirit.

London Road is based on the story of Stephen Wright, who was found guilty of murdering the five victims – Tania Nicol, Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls – who worked as prostitutes in the London Road area of the city, as well as the Ipswich’s efforts to pick itself up after Wright’s killing spree.

Of course, the horrifying murders don’t make for the sunniest subject matter and the stage musical naturally provoked a great deal of criticism when it was premiered in 2011. However, the show had two sell-out runs at the National Theatre in 2011 and 2012. Director, Rufus Norris, described it as the study of how “a stigmatised community fought back after their district was blighted.”

Tom Hardy Has Reportedly Been Cast As A Taxi Driver In ‘London Road.’

Kerry Nicol, mother of murdered Tania, condemned the musical, denouncing it as “claptrap” and an affront to the victims but critics widely found London Road to be a sensitive yet unique take on the dark situation. “The whole concept might sound deeply dodgy, but somehow it works, combining humour and compassion,” said The Telegraph at the time.

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