A major film biopic of JRR Tolkien and a new TV drama starring Sheridan Smith are among the productions gearing up to begin filming next week.

Nicholas Hoult stars as the iconic author in a biopic simply called Tolkien.

US studio Fox Searchlight is making the film, which is directed by Dome Karukoski from David Gleeson”s screenplay. Lily Collins co-stars.

The feature reportedly centres on Tolkien”s schooldays at King Edward”s School, Birmingham, and his early years at Oxford during the build-up to the First World War. Tolkien will largely film in the Liverpool area.

PI subscribers can log into Production Intelligence for more on the film”s line-up of UK HoDs.

Sheridan Smith makes a return to TV drama with Clean Break, which begins a four-month shoot next week in London.

Mark Marlow has written the six-parter for ITV, which sees Smith as Sam, an ordinary, working-class mum who becomes caught up in the murky world of insider trading. Chris Fry and Jane Featherstone executive produce for Sister Pictures.

For a round-up of key personnel including the DoP and casting director, log into Production Intelligence. Non-subscribers can click here to request a free online demo.

Nicholas Holt photo via Getty Images Ent/Emma McIntyre.
Sheridan Smith photo via Getty Images Ent/Jeff Spicer/BFC.