You may remember how over 2 years ago we wrote about Sophia’s attachment to ‘Heaven and Earth’ - a film about the true story of the first female doctor. Unfortunately, financing for the promising project, which would have featured Sophia in a lead role, could not be secured at the time. Back in May Variety had news about the project:

Natasha McElhone and James Purefoy will star in historical drama “Heaven & Earth” for Focus Films. Marleen Gorris will direct the $15 million film, written by Malcolm Kohll and Marsha Levin. David Pupkewitz and Kohll produce.

Story revolves around Britain’s first female doctor, James Miranda Barry (McElhone), who was forced to disguise herself as a man in order to practice medicine. Pic will tell the story of the early 19th century love affair between Barry and the governor of Cape Town, Lord Charles Somerset (Purefoy).

Shooting begins Dec. 10 in the U.K. and will move to Cape Town, South Africa, for six weeks sometime in January.

Much as I would have liked to see Sophia Myles play James Miranda Barry the casting choice of James Purefoy (Sophia’s co-star in Mansfield Park and The Prince and the Pauper) is brilliant.

• Sophia Myles attached to ‘Heaven and Earth’
• Sophia Myles in ‘Close and True’
• October 11 - Preview for ‘Tristan & Isolde’
• Articles & Reviews for ‘Tristan & Isolde’

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Great news! According to the movie’s production company Focus Films Sophia Myles is attached to star as James Miranda Barry in ‘Heaven and Earth’. Shooting is rumoured to start around November and will take place in the UK, Germany and South Africa.

Synopsis:
Directed by Marleen Gorris, this is based on the remarkable true story of James Miranda Barry. In the early years of the 19th Century Barry graduated from Edinburgh University Medical School aged 21. Barry was appointed army surgeon to the Cape Colony where she performed the first successful Caesarian operation and rose through the ranks to eventually become Surgeon General of the British Army. It was only when the undertaker was laying out the body of the eminent physician that a startling discovery was made - Dr James Barry was in fact a woman.

• Status of ‘Heaven and Earth’
• Sophia Myles in ‘Close and True’
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• Free tickets to see ‘Tristan & Isolde’

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