Helen Mirren to Portray Crime Novelist Patricia Highsmith in Psychological Thriller 'Switzerland'

Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren is set to portray crime novelist Patricia Highsmith in the upcoming psychological thriller “Switzerland,” currently filming in Rome. The project marks a significant return to feature filmmaking for Dutch director Anton Corbijn after a nine-year break.

The film, based on Joanna Murray-Smith’s play, follows an aging Highsmith in her later years. Alden Ehrenreich co-stars as Edward, a young literary agent who arrives with a proposal for Highsmith to write one final installment of her famous Ripley series. As their collaboration unfolds, the narrative promises to blur the lines between reality and fiction, hinting at potentially darker underlying motivations.

Joining Mirren and Ehrenreich is Olivia Cooke, though details about her character remain confidential. The production has assembled an impressive creative team, including Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan, costume designer Gabriella Pescucci, and production designer Dimitri Capuani.

The international production is backed by multiple production companies, including Brouhaha Entertainment and Lunar Pictures. Filming will take place across several locations, with shoots planned in Rome, the Italian Alps, Switzerland, and London.

Producers Gabrielle Tana and Troy Lum are overseeing the project, with FilmNation Entertainment handling international sales. Italian line producer Enrico Ballarin is managing the complex European production schedule.

Corbijn, known for his distinctive work in music videos and films like “Control” and “A Most Wanted Man,” brings his unique visual storytelling to this intriguing project. The film promises to offer audiences a compelling exploration of creativity, manipulation, and the thin line between art and reality.