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Millicent Simmondsis taking on a key historical figure for her latest role.
TheQuiet Placeactress, 18, is set to play activist Helen Keller inHelen & Teacher, an upcoming film about Keller’s relationship with Anne Sullivan, her translator and companion, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.Marvelous Mrs. MaiselstarRachel Brosnahanwill play Sullivan, perTHR.
Simmonds, who is deaf, is distant cousins with Keller, according to the outlet.
The biopic comes from director Wash Westmoreland, who has directed films likeStill AliceandColette.In a statement, Westmoreland saidHelen & Teachershows a new side of the disability rights advocate not widely known to the public.
“Most people only know of Helen Keller’s story from when she was a child.Helen & Teacherwill look at her as a young adult when she developed a radical, world-changing political voice,” he said. “Today, when some TikTok threads dispute Helen Keller’s achievements and even her existence, it is time for a film that shows her relevance, her brilliance and her unbreakable spirit.”
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Simmonds booked her first major role inWonderstruck,which she starred in alongsideJulianne Moore. Since then, she’s gone on to appear in theJohn Krasinskihorror filmA Quiet Placeand its sequel,A Quiet Place Part II. Her credits also includeAndi Mack, This CloseandClose Up.
The actresstold PEOPLEin 2017 that she hopes more deaf people “have the opportunity to become actors” in the future, and opened up about her own unexpected entry into the industry.
“I never thought about becoming a professional actress. I thought I was going to be a cop or a fireman, something that involved danger,” she said at the time. “But I was always comedic and would tell stories and use a lot of expressions. My high school drama teacher recognized that I had talent and asked permission from my mom so that I could join the drama club. I was in several school performances, mainly Shakespeare and comedic roles. I just accidentally became an actor. I totally didn’t expect this.”
source: people.com
