Skip to main content

BAFTA award-winning actor Steve Coogan has signed on to play James Boswell in a movie adaption of the West End play "Boswell for the Defence".

"Boswell For The Defence" (not to be confused with the journal volume of the same name) tells the true story of how James Boswell, in the twilight of his career and life, takes on an impossible case – to save the life of the convict Mary Bryant from the gallows.

The play on which the movie is based first opened at the Playhouse Theater in Melbourne, Australia in 1989 starring Leo McKern in the titular role. The play went on to tour Australia and United Kingdom to rave reviews.  

A 2001 attempt to make the play into a movie starring Michael Caine and Michael Gambon fell through due to a lack of funding.1

Read more about the new movie adaption at Variety.com.