‘Games of Thrones’ Actor Jacob Anderson, ‘Minx’ Star Ophelia Lovibond Headline Stillbirth Drama ‘Still Life’ (EXCLUSIVE)

“Minx” star Ophelia Lovibond and “Game of Thrones” and “Interview With the Vampire” actor Jacob Anderson headline “Still Life,” a short film exploring the aftermath of stillbirth through a lens of dark comedy and emotional honesty, produced by 19th Street Productions.

The project marks a deeply personal undertaking for writer-producer Kate Radcliffe, who drew from her own experience of losing her son Dexter to craft a story that confronts a topic rarely addressed on screen. Director Sophie King, whose brother was stillborn, helms the production, which is currently in post-production.

The film follows Jess and Max after their son is stillborn at 24 weeks of pregnancy. Lovibond portrays Jess as she navigates an unexpected form of motherhood marked by silent milestones and uncomfortable social encounters, while Anderson plays Max, attempting to hold their family together through grief.

Jordan Alexandra, Phoebe Pryce, Alex Bhat and Felicity Montagu round out the supporting ensemble.

“Kate’s script struck me as such an important subject matter to bring to light,” Lovibond said. “There’s still so little conversation around baby loss that it can feel impossible to navigate, both for those experiencing its bewildering devastation directly and for those wanting (but not knowing how) to be supportive.”

Anderson added: “Stories are a great way to work through things that need to be said, and Kate has written a brave, darkly funny and ultimately hopeful story about continuing to live in the face of the unimaginable.”

According to U.K. statistics, one in every 250 pregnancies ended in stillbirth in 2022, with 2,680 stillbirths recorded that year and an average of eight babies stillborn daily. Stillbirth rates rose for the first time in seven years in 2021.

King said: “The greatest power of cinema is its capacity for catharsis and empathy, and Kate’s brutally honest script delivers on this so fully. As well as learning all about Kate’s first son, Dexter, it’s been an honor to pay tribute to my stillborn brother Alex by making this film.”

The production was staffed predominantly by women, with Radcliffe noting that many crew members, including men, had personal connections to baby loss.

Radcliffe said: “If this film does anything, I hope it opens up a conversation about baby loss and resonates with anyone who has felt as lonely and devastated as I did the day Dexter died.”

The creative team envisions the short film as a proof of concept for a potential television series. Sarah Roy produces alongside Radcliffe. Simon Higgins serves as casting director, with Carmen Pellon as director of photography.

Radcliffe’s credits include “The Graham Norton Show,” “The Russell Howard Hour,” “Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains” and “A League of Their Own.” King is a BAFTA Connect director whose work has screened at Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying festivals, with credits including Channel 4’s “Disability Benefits” and the award-winning short “Does Your Condom Make You Fat?”

The filmmakers plan a targeted festival run beginning this year, focusing on U.K. and international festivals.