The Aftermath premiere: On the red carpet with Keira Knightly, Alexander Skarsgård, director James Kent and cast

The Aftermath is a forthcoming period drama from director James Kent, adapted from the novel of the same name by Rhidian Brook by screenwriting couple Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse.

Set in 1946 Hamburg, the movie follows British couple Rachael (Keira Knightly) and Lewis Morgan (Jason Clarke), reunited after the war as Lewis, a British colonel, is given responsibility for rebuilding the city destroyed by battle. To Rachael’s surprise however, she discovers they will be sharing their new home with a German widower (Alexander Skarsgård) and his daughter.

The film takes a hitherto unexplored moment in history as its backdrop to present a tale of grief, passion and reconciliation with a cast at the top of their game as Knightly comes off the back of an acclaimed performance as a repressed French writer in Colette and Skarsgård from impressive turns in TV dramas Big Little Lies and The Little Drummer Girl, while the excellent Jason Clarke returns to play Knightly’s husband for a second time after Everest.

We were at London’s Picturehouse central to catch the stellar cast and creatives behind the new film as they hit the red carpet.

The stunning Keira Knightly stopped to share with us how it was working with such an amazing cast and director, what she hoped people would take away from the film and how the fact she is a mother herself informed her playing the role.

Alexander Skarsgård spoke about working with Keira Knightly, the importance of the film and how he goes about choosing his roles.

Director James Kent told us what attracted him to the story, what it was like working with such an impressive cast and some of the best and most challenging moments on set.

Kate Philips chatted us through us character Susan Burnham, what it was like making the film with such an amazing team and the roles she has coming up next in season five of Peaky Blinders and the Downtown Abbey film.

Jason Clarke spoke to us about returning to play Knightly’s husband again and how they have built a great working relationship over that time.

Screenwriters Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse explained what the story meant to them and what relevance it holds for a contemporary audience.

Fionn O’Shea told us about his character Barker, his experience of making the film and the leading role he has coming up next.

Rhidian Brook, who wrote the original novel The Aftermath, told us what inspired him to write the story and how he saw the characters.

Sarah Bradbury
Videos: Marta Starczynowska

The Aftermath is released nationwide on 1^st March 2019.

Watch the trailer for The Aftermath here: