Tom Hooper to Direct Millie Bobby Brown in Netflix’s WWII Romance ‘Nineteen Steps’

Millie Bobby Brown is set to star in Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of her bestselling novel Nineteen Steps, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Tom Hooper.

The project follows Brown’s recent departure from the biopic Perfect, but she remains firmly committed to Netflix, with multiple projects in development. Hooper, known for directing The King’s Speech and Les Misérables, will helm the film adaptation of Nineteen Steps, which Brown co-wrote with Kathleen McGurl.

Production Team and Key Details

Screenwriter Anthony McCarten, acclaimed for Bohemian Rhapsody, will adapt the screenplay. Brown, along with Jake Bongiovi and Bobby Brown, will produce the film through PCMA, with Jonathan Eirich of Rideback and Nick Reynolds also attached to the project.

Plot and Setting

The original novel, published in 2023 and critically praised, is set in 1942 London during World War II. It draws from Brown’s grandmother’s experiences, offering a poignant narrative of resilience and love amid wartime hardship.

The official synopsis reads:

“It’s 1942, and air raid sirens continue to wail around London. Eighteen-year-old Nellie Morris counts every day lucky that she emerges from the underground shelters unharmed, her loving family still surrounding her.”

The book’s tagline captures its emotional core: “Love blooms in the darkest days.”

Tom Hooper’s Return to Feature Films

Hooper’s last directorial effort, the 2019 adaptation of Cats, was a critical and commercial failure, starring an ensemble cast including James Corden, Judi Dench, Idris Elba, and Jennifer Hudson. Prior to that, his career flourished with multiple Oscar-winning films:

• The King’s Speech (2010) – Won four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director
• Les Misérables (2012) – Won three Oscars
• The Danish Girl (2015) – Won one Oscar

Hooper has also directed acclaimed TV projects, including HBO’s Elizabeth I and John Adams, as well as episodes of His Dark Materials for HBO and the BBC.

His most recent attachment was to Photograph 51, a project that stalled after Natalie Portman was initially cast to play Rosalind Franklin, the scientist who uncovered DNA’s structure.

Millie Bobby Brown’s Upcoming Projects

Brown recently wrapped the fifth and final season of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things. Her upcoming slate includes:

• Enola Holmes 3 – The next installment in the mystery franchise
• Just Picture It – A romantic comedy

Both films are set for release on Netflix.