‘Seductive’ mystery drama with Slow Horses star drops first-look images – and viewers will be hooked

The Return of Stanley Atwell is based on an original story by Steven Soderbergh and stars Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Purnell and Damian Lewis

ooking for a new seductive mystery drama to get lost in? First-look pictures for The Return of Stanley Atwell have just been released – and it’s shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of mystery thrillers with a dash of period drama.

Starring Ella Purnell (Sweetpea), Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue) and Damian Lewis (Homeland), the film is based on an original story by Oscar-winning writer Steven Soderbergh (Black Bag, Erin Brockovich) and is directed by Brian Welsh, best known for his work on Beats and Black Mirror. It also stars Slow Horses actor Adrian Rawlins.

© Variety via Getty Images
Damian Lewis is the latest star to join the cast

The Return of Stanley Atwell follows an aristocrat and heir who, after being presumed dead, mysteriously returns to the family estate – only to find a web of chaos threatening his inheritance.

The first-look images show Nicholas and Ella as close friends, Stanley and Pamela, posing in an ornate drawing room. Meanwhile, Damian’s character, Barnaby Towan, is seen smoking a cigarette over a cocktail in a bar.

What is The Return of Stanley Atwell about?

The story centres on Stanley Atwell, the son and heir to Lord Atwell’s title and fortune, who, after being presumed dead, unexpectedly returns to the family estate having escaped a decade of mysterious captivity.

The synopsis reads: “Atwell’s shocking reappearance causes chaos as he finds his sister Beatrice fighting to claim his inheritance, whilst close friend Pamela (Purnell) manipulates his puzzling return, and a dark family secret, in a bid to seize control of the Atwell fortune.

© Hera Pictures/John Gore Studios
Damian Lewis in The Return of Stanley Atwell

“Sex, passion, backstabbing and betrayal wreak havoc across the estate as the lies and deception the Atwell name has been built upon start to unravel. How far is each family member willing to go to protect their own wealth and status… and what is really behind the return of Stanley Atwell?”

Who stars in The Return of Stanley Atwell?

Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue) leads the film as Stanley, alongside Ella Purnell (Sweetpea) as Pamela and Damian Lewis (Homeland) as Barnaby.

They’re joined by Jess Alexander (The Beauty, Amadeus), Adrian Rawlins (Rose of Nevada, Slow Horses) and Will Keen (His Dark Materials, The Crown).

© Hera Pictures/John Gore Studios
Ella Purnell and Nicholas Galitzine in The Return of Stanley Atwell

What have the creatives said about The Return of Stanley Atwell?

Director Brian Welsh said: “The Return Of Stanley Atwell is a mischievous and subversive mystery thriller – a punky and raunchy takedown of the British aristocracy that claws wildly at the unwritten rules that hold hierarchy in place.”

As for what viewers can expect from the wider cast, Liza Marshall, producer and founder of Hera Pictures, added: “We’re also thrilled to welcome the brilliant Jess, Adrian and Will to the cast – each bringing such depth and nuance to their characters and making the world of the Atwells vivid, compelling and seductive.”

She also described the project as “something truly special – a seductive, entertaining thriller that feels fresh, provocative, and impossible to look away from.”

The Return of Stanley Atwell is currently in production in the UK and Malta, with a release date yet to be announced.