Fresh off his involvement in the anticipated Star Wars: Starfighter project, acclaimed actor Daniel Ings, known for his roles in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, is set to star alongside Jessica Brown Findlay, a celebrated alumna of Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey, in Olivia Grant’s directorial debut, a poignant short film titled The Two Week Wait. The project, which promises to delve into the complex emotional landscape of fertility treatments, marks a significant creative venture for Grant, who is transitioning from a successful acting career to filmmaking.
The ensemble cast is further bolstered by the talents of Fenella Woolgar, recognized for her work in Call the Midwife, Rick Warden from Happy Valley, and Sophie Colquhoun, who has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as part of Captain America. Together, they will bring to life the narrative of a woman in her late thirties, portrayed by Brown Findlay, who grapples with a series of dissociative experiences. Her journey unfolds against the backdrop of deteriorating mental health as she navigates the emotionally taxing process of IVF, supported by her well-meaning but somewhat inept boyfriend, played by Ings.
The Two Week Wait is written by Grant herself and represents a significant undertaking for her newly established production banner, Cavalry Films. The film is a co-production with Symphony Films, a venture helmed by actor-producers Rebecca Night, known for her role in Wuthering Heights, and Harry Hadden-Paton, a prominent figure in The Crown. The film is slated for its premiere on Tuesday at the prestigious Indy Shorts Film Festival, an event that has become a key platform for emerging filmmakers and a barometer for cinematic trends.
A Directorial Vision Forged in Personal Experience
Olivia Grant, a familiar face to audiences for her memorable acting performances in Stardust, Lark Rise to Candleford, and Indian Summers, shared her motivations for venturing into filmmaking in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She described a confluence of factors, including opportune timing and a burgeoning sense of urgency, that propelled her towards directing. "I’ve wanted to make my own work for a while now," Grant explained, "and, like many actors, I had a feature script I’d been quietly writing for a couple of years, but there was always enough acting work not to focus exclusively on writing, and I was ambivalent about what I would write about."
The seismic shifts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a catalyst. "It was COVID that changed that; firstly because it cleared time to focus on generating new work and, secondly, because it coincided with my personal struggles with IVF and its mental toll," Grant elaborated. The intensely personal nature of her IVF journey provided fertile ground for creative exploration. "As a way to hold on to my sanity, I ended up writing a 30,000-word diary documenting the rollercoaster of grappling with my infertility and transcribing the arguments my husband and I were having, which felt very specific to the process and uniquely gendered."
Universal Themes Uncovered Through Intimate Struggle
As the global landscape began to reopen, Grant found that her deeply personal experiences resonated with a wider community. "It was only as the world opened up again, and I was able to reconnect with more women and couples, that it became clear that many elements of my mental anguish were remarkably universal," she stated. This realization underscored the profound impact of her own journey. "My shame around not being able to have a child and what that meant was normal; my partner’s difficulty salving that particular wound for me was perhaps predictable, and the intense sense of dissociation that permeated that period was again part of the experience for many."
Grant highlighted the often-isolating nature of fertility treatments. "Like a lot of women, I did not share the experience with my close friends and family and suddenly felt there was a real need to shed some light on what can be the profound interpersonal effects of this remarkably successful, albeit oft-harrowing, process." This desire to illuminate the less-discussed aspects of IVF and its impact on mental health and relationships forms the emotional core of The Two Week Wait.
A Proof of Concept and a Glimpse into the Future
The Two Week Wait is not merely a standalone short film; it serves as a crucial proof of concept for a feature-length narrative titled Baby Mine, which is currently slated for release in 2027. Both Daniel Ings and Jessica Brown Findlay are already attached to the larger project, indicating a long-term creative partnership and a commitment to exploring these themes in greater depth. Amy Hubbard, a highly respected casting director, is also on board, further signaling the ambition and caliber of the forthcoming feature.
The short film’s premiere at the Indy Shorts Film Festival is a significant milestone, providing an early platform for audiences and industry professionals to experience Grant’s directorial vision. The festival, known for its curated selection of innovative and impactful short films, is an ideal venue for The Two Week Wait to garner attention and critical acclaim.
Industry Acclaim and Anticipation
The artistic merits of The Two Week Wait have already garnered enthusiastic endorsements from those involved. Daniel Ings expressed his admiration for Grant’s emerging directorial voice, stating, "Olivia is a singular new voice in British filmmaking, with a lot to say on some fairly universal themes affecting many women. Getting to work with her, Nanu Segal [cinematographer], and Jessica Brown Findlay on this beautiful film was an embarrassment of creative riches. You haven’t heard the last of Olivia Grant." His statement underscores the collaborative spirit of the project and the profound impact of Grant’s narrative.
Rebecca Night, co-founder of Symphony Films, echoed this sentiment, describing the script as "so instantly unique, compelling and beautiful." She elaborated on the film’s thematic richness: "[It] deals with the choices we make, the relationships we foster, and people seeking love and connection as they journey together through life’s struggles. Full of drama, yes, but so witty and heart-wrenching too." This description highlights the film’s ability to balance emotional depth with sharp wit, promising a nuanced and engaging viewing experience.
The Broader Context: IVF Statistics and Mental Health
The themes explored in The Two Week Wait are particularly resonant given the increasing prevalence of assisted reproductive technologies. In the United States, for example, over 100,000 babies are born each year through IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This statistic, while representing successful outcomes, hints at the millions of cycles and the immense emotional, financial, and physical toll on individuals and couples undergoing these procedures.
The "two-week wait" itself—the period between embryo transfer and taking a pregnancy test—is notoriously fraught with anxiety, hope, and the potential for profound disappointment. Research consistently points to the significant mental health challenges associated with IVF, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and marital strain. A study published in the journal Human Reproduction found that women undergoing IVF experienced psychological distress comparable to those with serious illnesses like cancer or HIV.
The film’s focus on dissociative experiences and deteriorating mental health speaks to the often-unseen psychological impact of infertility and its treatment. Dissociation, a detachment from one’s thoughts, feelings, body, or surroundings, can be a coping mechanism for overwhelming stress and trauma, which are common during IVF. Grant’s candidness about her own struggles and her intention to illuminate these universal yet often unspoken aspects of the process are critical in destigmatizing these experiences and fostering greater understanding and support.
The Impact of The Two Week Wait
The short film’s premiere at a respected festival like Indy Shorts provides a vital platform for its message. By bringing these intimate struggles to a wider audience, The Two Week Wait has the potential to:
- Raise Awareness: Educate the public about the emotional and psychological complexities of IVF, moving beyond the purely medical narrative.
- Foster Empathy: Encourage greater understanding and compassion from friends, family, and society for individuals navigating fertility challenges.
- Destigmatize Mental Health: Open conversations about the mental health toll of infertility and fertility treatments, encouraging those affected to seek support.
- Inspire Further Storytelling: Pave the way for more nuanced and authentic portrayals of reproductive health journeys in film and television.
The transition of a successful actor like Olivia Grant into directing, particularly with a project so deeply rooted in personal experience and social relevance, signals a growing trend of artists using their platforms to tell stories that matter. The collaboration with established talents like Ings and Brown Findlay, alongside the backing of producers Night and Hadden-Paton, underscores the significant potential of The Two Week Wait and its future feature iteration, Baby Mine, to make a meaningful impact on both the film industry and public discourse surrounding reproductive health and mental well-being. The upcoming premiere is not just the debut of a film, but potentially the emergence of a vital new voice in cinema addressing a deeply human experience.
