Suffragette writer Abi Morgan: Romola Garai's in front line for war movie role

Red carpet: Suffragette screenwriter Abi Morgan with Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep and, right, their co-star Romola Garai
Dave Benett
The Weekender

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Screenwriter Abi Morgan has spoken about her latest project - a film about female soldiers in Afghanistan - while revealing she would love to “squeeze in” a role for Suffragette star Romola Garai.

Morgan, whose credits include TV shows Sex Traffic and The Hour plus films Brick Lane and The Iron Lady, worked with Garai on Suffragette, along with Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep and Helena Bonham Carter.

Morgan is now said to be working on an adaptation of military biography Ashley’s War, written by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, for a film produced by Reese Witherspoon.

The book tells the story of a group of US female soldiers who forge relationships with Afghan locals as part of a cultural support team.

New role? Suffragette star Romola Garai on the red carpet
Dave Benett

Morgan said: “I am sure I can squeeze Romola in there somehow. I have loved working with Rom on The Hour and on Suffragette. I am really inspired by great actresses and have been very fortunate to work with lots of them. I would like to see them employed.”

In response, 33-year-old Garai said: “I am sure I would be a very convincing soldier. I don’t want to be over confident but yeah, I’ll be in training from now on.”

Morgan and Garai were speaking as they took part in a Q&A with a group of London 15- to 18-year-olds following a screening of Suffragette as part of the Into Film Festival.

Suffragette Premiere at 59th BFI London Film Festival

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The project encourages young people across the country to work in the industry and appreciate film.

Recalling her school years, Garai said: “I was not academic. I was very arty and did drama and poetry readings as a kid. I had no friends. I did a solo monologue from A Doll’s House when I was about 13 for an acting competition.”

Morgan, who lives in Crouch End with her actor husband Jacob Krichefski, added: “Film... is escapism and a wonderful place to escape to as child.”

To find out more about Into Film and the festival, visit intofilm.org

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