A New Chapter in Period Drama: Mothering Sunday Stars Colin Firth and Olivia Colman in Heartfelt Tale Shot in Henley and Hambleden

A poignant new film has arrived, spotlighting Oscar winners Colin Firth and Olivia Colman alongside rising stars Odessa Young and Josh O’Connor. Mothering Sunday, directed by Eva Husson and adapted from Graham Swift’s acclaimed novella, premiered in select markets and continues to captivate audiences with its quiet, aching exploration of love, class, loss, and self-discovery in post-World War I England.

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MOTHERING SUNDAY UK QUAD (30″x 40″) ROLLED POSTER OLIVIA COLMAN …

Official UK quad poster featuring Colin Firth and Olivia Colman in this acclaimed romantic drama.

Set on a warm spring day in 1924—Mothering Sunday—the story centers on Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young), a housemaid and foundling who has spent her life in service. Orphaned and without family, Jane finds herself unexpectedly alone when her employers, the grieving Mr. and Mrs. Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman), depart for a lunch gathering. This rare freedom grants her an afternoon of intimacy with her secret lover, Paul Sheringham (Josh O’Connor), the charming young man from the neighboring manor house.

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Colin Firth and Olivia Colman as the bereaved Mr. and Mrs. Niven, haunted by wartime loss.

Paul, despite his deep affection for Jane, is engaged to a childhood friend from a suitable family—the daughter of his parents’ close acquaintances. Their clandestine relationship, spanning years across class divides, unfolds in tender yet forbidden moments. But what begins as a stolen day of passion and vulnerability spirals into life-altering events that reshape Jane’s future forever, forcing her to confront identity, memory, and resilience.

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Odessa Young delivers a breakout performance as the resilient Jane Fairchild.

The film’s emotional core lies in its restrained performances: Firth and Colman portray the Nivens with subtle devastation, their characters forever scarred by the sons lost in the Great War. Young shines as Jane, evolving from quiet observer to empowered narrator, while O’Connor brings nuanced longing to Paul’s conflicted role. Director Eva Husson crafts a sensuous, introspective portrait, blending lush cinematography with themes of grief, social barriers, and the birth of a writer’s voice.

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Josh O’Connor as Paul Sheringham, torn between duty and desire.

Much of the production’s authentic English countryside charm comes from its filming locations in Oxfordshire. A charming house on St Mark’s Road in Henley-on-Thames served as the Nivens’ residence, with key scenes captured there in November 2020 amid creative adjustments like artificial daffodils for a springtime feel. Nearby Hambleden village provided picturesque backdrops for the era’s genteel gatherings, adding to the film’s immersive post-war atmosphere alongside other spots like Cliveden and Hampton Estate.

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Henley-on-Thames locations, including St Mark’s Road house used for the Nivens’ home.

Critics have praised Mothering Sunday for its lyrical storytelling and bold sensuality, with standout moments like Jane’s liberated exploration of the empty manor house. It’s a film that lingers—haunting, beautiful, and profoundly human—earning acclaim at festivals and strong reviews for its fidelity to Swift’s novella.

Now streaming or in select theaters (depending on region), this understated gem is perfect for fans of thoughtful period pieces like The Remains of the Day or Atonement. In a world of noise, Mothering Sunday whispers truths that echo long after the credits roll.