Michaela Coel & Arinze Kene’s Movie Musical Just Got Picked Up By Netflix
After the devastating news that Chewing Gum won’t be renewed for a new season, you can imagine the joy we are feeling after learning that Netflix has just bought the rights to Been So Long, a new musical starring Michaela Coel and Arinze Kene.
Coel drew the curtain on Chewing Gum, telling Channel 4 that she had “reached a creative peak” at the end of season 2, and did not want to continue with the comedy.
Well, thankfully she will be making a return to our screens with Been So Long – which follows a dedicated single mother (played by Coel) who, on an unusual night on the town, is charmed by a handsome yet troubled stranger (played by Arinze).
The musical’s soundtrack was described as featuring “a diverse mix of r&b, soul, dance and cinematic orchestra”. A release date for the film has yet to be announced, however, it really can’t come soon enough!
Official synopsis reads: Romance, rage and revenge. “Been So Long” is a neon soaked, modern day romance set on the streets of London’s musical hot-bed of Camden. We follow Simone (Michaela Coel), a dedicated single mother who, on a rare night on the town is charmed by a handsome yet troubled stranger, igniting old and new feelings. Set against the backdrop of an ever-changing city, “Been So Long” is a fresh take on love, life and moving on.
Joining Coel and Kene as the seductive Raymond are BAFTA EE Rising Star nominee George Mackay who plays broken-hearted fantasist Gil; and Ronke Adekoluejo, who completes the quartet of unwitting star-crossed lovers, as Simone’s gutsy, happy-go-lucky best friend Yvonne.
The all-singing, all-dancing cast also includes Ashley Thomas, Joe Dempsie, Luke Norris, Rakie Ayola and introducing Mya Lewis.
Principal photography kicked off in March on the modern day love story set on the streets of Camden, filming across London. The soundtrack will be a diverse mix of RnB, Nu Soul, UK dance and cinematic orchestration, featuring music from up and coming guest producers.
The project has been developed for the screen by BAFTA-nominated producers Nadine Marsh-Edwards and Amanda Jenks, who together run Greenacre Films.
“Been So Long” is backed by the British Film Institute (BFI) and Film4, with executive producers Lizzie Francke, Eva Yates, Jane Wright and Indira Guha.
Fabien Westerhoff’s Film Constellation is handling international sales.
No ETA at this time, but we’d expect it to premiere later this year, possibly on the international film festival circuit; the Toronto International Film Festival would provide for a good launching pad.
