First look photos of Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley in The Journey

The first images have been released of Timothy Spall’s portrayal of Ian Paisley as shooting has begun on The Journey.
Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness.Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness.
Timothy Spall as Ian Paisley and Colm Meaney as Martin McGuinness.

The film focuses on the improbable friendship between two Northern Ireland political titans and implacable enemies, Ian Paisley (Timothy Spall) and Martin McGuinness (Colm Meaney), when forced to take a short journey and the biggest leap of faith. It is at this moment the future of British and Irish history is altered, as two sworn enemies put their past actions behind them and begin to forge a friendship that would lead them to be known as “The Chuckle Brothers”.

The additional stellar cast includes Toby Stephens (Believe, The Machine, Severance) as Prime Minister Tony Blair, Freddie Highmore (The Golden Compass, The Spiderwick Chronicles) as Jack, The Driver, a young government employee tasked to drive Paisley and McGuinness on their journey, and Oscar-nominated John Hurt (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Hercules, The Elephant Man) as Harry, an accomplished veteran political fixer overseeing the St. Andrews Agreement.

Nick Hamm (The Hole, Killing Bono) directs, from a script by Colin Bateman.

Prolific independent entertainment studio IM Global is financing the film through its Acclaim speciality division, in association with Lipsync and Northern Ireland Screen, and will also handle international sales. Greenroom / Tempo Entertainment, Nick Hamm, Mark Huffam (The Martian), and Piers Tempest (Like Minds) are producing, with IM Global Founder and CEO Stuart Ford and President of Production Matt Jackson executive producing.