Notting Hill and Love Actually actors star in film about Parkinson's disease

Notting Hill and Love Actually actors star in film about Parkinson's disease37 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMaria CassidyBBC WalesHilltop Screen / BBC/ Jed KnightLove Actually's Laura Linney and Notting Hill's Rhys Ifans star as Tony and Emma in Onwards and SidewaysNotting Hill's Rhys Ifans is set to star in a moving new drama about Parkinson's disease. The Bafta award-winner will star in Onwards and Sideways alongside Love Actually's Laura Linney. The drama follows the story of two people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease - a non-curable degenerative condition that affects how the brain communicates with the muscles in the body.The feature-length drama is written by Vicar of Dibley co-writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, who was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 58. As well as starring in Notting Hill, Ifans, who was born in Haverfordwest and grew up in Ruthin, Denbighshire, is best known for his roles in Twin Town and House of the Dragon.Set and filmed in north Norfolk, Ifans plays Tony Evans, the deputy head of a primary school, while Linney stars as Emma Dretzin, a pianist, composer and mother of two daughters. They meet when they are both confronted with a Parkinson's diagnosis. Alongside Ifans and Linney, Monica Dolan, Rory Kinnear and Paul Mayhew-Archer also star in the drama. Getty ImagesMonica Dolan, who starred in Mr Bates vs the Post Office, also stars in the film Mayhew-Archer, who co-hosts award-winning Parkinson's podcast Movers and Shakers, said while the disease made many things difficult for him, it had also brought him "opportunities I wouldn't have missed for the world"."The latest of these is the chance to work with the brilliant director John Madden and wonderful actors on bringing this story to life. So, thank you Parkinson's," he said. "My fingers may fumble, my mouth may mumble and each step I take may result in a stumble. But I cannot...