Onwards and Sideways
Tony Evans is the deputy head of a local primary school. Emma Dretzin is a pianist, composer and single mother of two daughters. Neither knows the other until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives: on the same morning, they are both confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
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Cast
21 people
Rhys Ifans
Tony Evans
Known for
House of the Dragon
The Amazing Spider-Man
Laura Linney
Emma Dretzin
Known for
The Truman Show
Ozark
Monica Dolan
Liz Evans
Known for
A Very English Scandal
Kick-Ass 2
Rory Kinnear
Professor Ridge
Known for
The Imitation Game
Penny Dreadful
Nicholas Asbury
Barry
Known for
Sherlock
Papillon
Paul Mayhew-Archer
Tom
Also in
Mrs Brown's Boys
Drop the Dead Donkey
Sorcha Cusack
Mary
Known for
A Discovery of Witches
River
Leah Byrne
Julie
Known for
Dept. Q
Danielle Galligan
Carol
Known for
Shadow and Bone
House of Guinness
Ross McShane
Chris
Also in
Mission
Sara Powell
Helen Andrews
Known for
Hostage
You, Me and the Apocalypse
Natalia Kostrzewa
Mrs. Wozniak
Known for
Fool Me Once
The Cured
John Madden Director · Paul Mayhew-Archer Writer Thomas Newman Composer
First release September 13, 2026 · Produced in United Kingdom · Production John Gore Studios, BBC
Production
Hilltop Screen
Production
John Gore Studios
Production
BBC
Production
United Kingdom
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
Canada · September 13, 2026
Premiere · Toronto International Film Festival
United Kingdom · November 6, 2026
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
Australia
October 29, 2026 · Premiere · Russell Hobbs British Film Festival
Ireland
November 6, 2026 · Theatrical
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