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Malachi Kirby, the BAFTA-winning “Small Axe” star recently seen as the lead in the Disney+ series “A Thousand Blows,” is starring in revenge-thriller “Uncle,” Variety can reveal.
The film, from writer-director Joe Marcantonio
(“Kindred”) and which recently wrapped production, also stars newcomer Freya Harvey. WestEnd Films, which is handing world sales, has released a first look image featuring Kirby and Harvey, and has announced the first wave of distribution deals, including for the U.K. (Sky), Portugal (NOS), Bulgaria (Beta) and Poland (Galapagos).
“Uncle” follows teenage Millie (Harvey) and her uncle John (Kirby) who are thrown together on a relentless mission for revenge and retribution after the brutal murder of their family. Still grieving and struggling to find her place, Millie is drawn into John’s dangerous world — one driven by guilt, anger, and a pull toward violence he can’t escape. But as they close in on the people responsible, their bond deepens, and, as per the synopsis, Millie must decide whether she’s ready to follow her uncle down the “bloody path of revenge — and the violent, premature journey into adulthood that comes with it.”
The film also stars BAFTA Cymru winners Mark Lewis Jones (“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “The Crown,” “Baby Reindeer”) and Gabrielle Creevy (“Amadeus, The Guest,” “Black Doves”).
Kirby replaces Micheal Ward in the film, which was already in production when the “Top Boy” actor was accused of sexual assault in mid 2025. Ward was recently cleared of all charges in a London court.
Written by Marcantonio and Owynne Dawkins, “Uncle” is produced by Auroral Pictures’ Rebecca Knapp (“Rollin’ with the Nines,” “Popcorn”) and Matthew Wakeham (“Two for Joy,” “The Facility”) and Delta Pictures’ Adam Partridge (“Chuck Chuck Baby”).
Nicola Pearcey (“Military Wives,” “Madfabulous”), EP at Picnik Entertainment and CEO at Facilities by ADF plc, is executive producing alongside Play House Studios’ Lorcan Kavanagh, Peggy Cafferty, Deepak Sikka, Mark Foligno and Sire Ramos, Principal Film Finance’s Tom George and Jon Gosier of FilmHedge.
“Joe is an exceptionally talented filmmaker and he has brought a real confidence and intensity to ‘Uncle,'” said Maya Amsellem, managing Director of WestEnd Films, which will reveal the first footage of the film to buyer at the market in Toronto. “It’s a visceral revenge thriller with a strong emotional core, exploring family, grief and the cycle of violence in a way that feels both gripping and deeply human. We’re excited to unveil this first look ahead of sharing footage with buyers at TIFF.”
“Uncle” was developed and produced with the support of Ffilm Cymru Wales with funding from the Arts Council of Wales and Creative Wales using proceeds from the National Lottery and the Welsh Government.
Kirby is repped by Identity Agency Group and UTA.
