The musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, based on the documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, first debuted at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England in 2017. Now, the inspiring story of someone who was determined to be different and show his classmates his true self is a movie, arriving on Amazon Prime Video this Friday.
I had the chance to speak with two remarkable talents about this delightful, energetic project: first-time film actor Max Harwood, who plays the title role of Jamie, and Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant, who portrays his mentor, whose drag name is Loco Chanelle. These two performers, both at very different stages in their careers, radiate warmth and positive energy in our conversations about why this story and film is so wonderful.
You can watch the videos below, along with an official summary and where to watch.
Max Harwood Interview
Richard E. Grant Interview
Film summary:
Inspired by true events, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie follows Jamie New (Max Harwood), a teenager from Sheffield, who dreams of life on stage. While his classmates plan their livelihoods after they leave school, Jamie contemplates revealing his secret career ambition to become a fierce and proud drag queen. His best friend Pritti (Lauren Patel) and his loving mum (Sarah Lancashire) shower him with endless support, while local drag legend Miss Loco Chanelle (Richard E. Grant) mentors him toward his debut stage performance. But Jamie also has to contend with an unsupportive father (Ralph Ineson), an uninspired careers advisor (Sharon Horgan), and some ignorant school kids who attempt to rain on his sensational parade. In rousing and colourful musical numbers, Jamie and his community inspire one another to overcome prejudice, be more accepting, and to step out of the darkness into the spotlight.
Here’s the trailer for the film:
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie premieres globally on Amazon Prime Video on September 17th.