Ep 221: VIRGINIA WOOLF'S NIGHT & DAY: the filmmakers and star on adapting the comedy for the screen

This special episode of Girls On Film comes to you from Vue West End, Leicester Square. At our Q&A screening of VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY host, Anna Smith is joined by the film’s director Tina Gharavi, lead actor Haley Bennett and writer-producer Justine Waddell. Justine talks about her ‘free adaptation’ of Woolf’s 1910 novel and shining a light on Edwardian England’s forgotten female scientists. Tina expresses gratitude for the film’s dream cast – which in addition to Haley Bennett, includes Jennifer Saunders, Timothy Spall, Jack Whitehall, Lily Allen, Misia Butler, Elyas M’Barek and Sally Phillips. She also reflects on the joys of shooting in North East England and the challenges of balancing playfulness and experimentation with the demands of script, budget and schedule. Haley speaks of finding inspiration in her character, Katharine Hilbery’s big dreams and belief in her own instincts. Set against the backdrop of the suffragette movement the film brings into sharp focus the choices and limitations faced by early twentieth century women but also their determination to break down barriers and create new pathways. Other films mentioned in this episode: ELOISE AT THE PLAZA SIXTEEN CANDLES THE BREAKFAST CLUB A huge thank you to Vue Lumière for partnering on this episode. VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY is in UK cinemas from Friday 19 June 2026. Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Sign up to the Girls On Film newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/iEKaM-/ Or email [email protected] to be signed up. Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold Producer: Nicki Glossop Audio Editor: Heather Dempsey Social Media: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Bradshaw Partners for this episode were Vue Lumière © HLA Agency #girlsonfilmpodcast #annasmith #womeninfilm #NightAndDayFilm #VirginiaWoolfsNightandDay #virginiawoolf #haleybennett #sallyphillips #jennifersaunders #misiabutler #elyas_m’barek #lilyallen #jackwhitehall #suffragettes #astronomers