Supported by Imelda Staunton as Alma Hitchcock and Penelope Wilton as Peggy Robertson - Hitchcock’s loyal assistant. Writer Gwyneth Hughes (The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, Five Days, Miss Austen Regrets) has interviewed Tippi Hedren and surviving members of Hitchcock’s crew at length.
Gwyneth Hughes, comments: "It's been the most enormous privilege to talk at length to Tippi Hedren, the last "Hitchcock blonde" in the life of Britain's most original and successful film director. At the time, in the early 1960s, the American star suffered in silence. But now, at the age of 81, her wisdom and insights have helped me to put her real life ordeal on to the screen.
"I know Tippi is absolutely thrilled, as I am, with the casting of Sienna Miller to play her, and when the two of them met recently they got on like a house on fire. I've loved Toby Jones' work for years and for me, he is the perfect choice to play the tormented genius, Alfred Hitchcock. With Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton agreeing to play the other two women in his life, it's my dream cast, and I couldn't be happier."
Alfred Hitchcock (Toby Jones) was at the height of his fame and creativity when, in 1962, he chose an unknown fashion model to star in his most ambitious film – The Birds. But as he sculpted Tippi Hedren (Sienna Miller) into the perfect Hitchcock blonde of his imagination, he became obsessed with the impossible dream of winning the real woman’s love. His failure arguably destroyed both of their careers.
Julian Jarrold (Appropriate Adult, Becoming Jane) is directing and Donald Spoto, Hitchcock’s foremost biographer is attached as a consultant.
Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning says: “This wonderful film is a riveting psychological portrait of Alfred Hitchcock's obsession with Tippi Hedron, and in Toby Jones and Sienna Miller we have dream casting to bring this to life with glorious veracity.”
Made by Wall to Wall Television, part of the Shed Media Group, for BBC Two, this 90-minute film will be produced by Amanda Jenks and executive produced by Leanne Klein for Wall to Wall Television and Lucy Richer at the BBC.
Commissioned by Janice Hadlow, Controller BBC Two and Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning.