Uma Thurman will sit behind the Resolute Desk in the film adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue, Deadline reports.
Thurman, the star of movies such as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, and Burnt, will play U.S. President Ellen Claremont in the movie.
McQuiston’s bestselling romance novel, published in 2019 by St. Martin’s Griffin, tells the story of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of President Claremont, who can’t stand his British counterpart, Prince Henry. The two, however, slowly realize that they have romantic feelings for one another. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus called the book “a clever, romantic, sexy love story.”
Alex will be played in the Amazon Prime film adaptation by Taylor Zakhar Perez (Embeds), while Nicholas Galitzine (The Craft: Legacy) will play Prince Henry. Several other cast members have been announced, including Stephen Fry (V for Vendetta), Clifton Collins Jr. (Westworld), Rachel Hilson (Love, Victor), and Aneesh Sheth (Jessica Jones).
The film is being written and directed by playwright Matthew López, who told Deadline, “I am overjoyed that Uma will be joining us to play President Claremont. Her intelligence, warmth, and humor are a perfect match for Casey’s iconic character. I cannot wait to be on our Oval Office set with her.”
On Instagram, McQuiston, who is also one of the film’s executive producers, wrote, “Oh, and one more thing…UMA *ACTUAL* THURMAN will be playing the role of Madam President in the RWRB movie!!!!!”
Michael Schaub, a journalist and regular contributor to NPR, lives near Austin, Texas.
