Ella Beatty in Final Talks to Join Focus Features' 'The Bell Jar' Movie
The 'Monster' star is in negotiations to join the cast of Sarah Polley's adaptation of the Sylvia Plath novel, which already features Billie Eilish and Carey Mulligan.

“Ella Beatty, star of Netflix’s forthcoming Monster installment on alleged Massachusetts axe murderer Lizzie Borden, is in final talks to join Billie Eilish and Carey Mulligan in The Bell Jar”
- Director
- Sarah Polley
- Starring
- Billie Eilish, Carey Mulligan, Connor Storrie
- Genre
- Drama
Ella Beatty is in final talks to join the cast of Focus Features' adaptation of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar, according to Deadline.
She would star alongside Billie Eilish and Carey Mulligan in the film, which is set to be directed by Oscar winner Sarah Polley.
Who is Ella Beatty playing?
The role Beatty would play in the film is not yet clear. According to the report, Eilish is set to portray the protagonist, Esther Greenwood, in her film acting debut, with Mulligan playing her mother.
What is 'The Bell Jar' about?
The film is an adaptation of Plath's semi-autobiographical novel, which follows a young woman's summer in New York, her return home, and her subsequent mental breakdown against the backdrop of 1950s America. It is the only novel penned by the American writer and poet, originally published in 1963.
Beatty comes to the project after landing the lead role in the new season of Netflix's Monster, where she plays alleged axe murderer Lizzie Borden. She is a Juilliard-trained actor whose recent credits include the A24 drama If I Had Legs I'd Kick You and the Off-Broadway play Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes.
Polley is directing from her own screenplay, with Plan B, Studiocanal, and Joy Coalition among the producers. Representatives for Focus Features declined to comment on the casting news.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Ella Beatty's first major film role?
While Ella Beatty has appeared in films like the A24 drama If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, joining The Bell Jar would mark a significant high-profile studio film role for the Juilliard-trained actor, following her breakout lead part in Netflix's Monster series.
Who else is producing the film?
The film adaptation is being produced by Plan B, Studiocanal, and Joy Coalition. Joy Gorman Wettels of Joy Coalition originated the project, packaging it with Billie Eilish and Sarah Polley before Focus Features came on board.
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