Love Actually and Notting Hill legends’ emotional new BBC drama film releases first look – and confirms title change

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We’re getting a first glimpse of the upcoming drama, Onward and Sideways, formerly titled But When We Dance.

The new 90-minute film stars Laura Linney, known from Ozark, and Rhys Ifans, of House of the Dragon, as two people whose lives unexpectedly connect. The story is described as a heartwarming drama about two individuals who share a similar wit, a passion for dance, and are both living with Parkinson’s disease.

The series is set and filmed in North Norfolk, where Rhys plays Tony Evans, a vice principal at a local elementary school. Linney plays Emma Dretzin, a pianist, composer, and mother raising two daughters on her own.

Their lives unexpectedly intersect when they both receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis on the very same day, completely altering their paths.

The first image from the show features the two characters happily walking and talking on a road, suggesting a growing connection. While they seem cheerful now, the series promises a lot of emotional ups and downs.

The new film, Onwards and Sideways, will be available on BBC One and iPlayer, and will also be shown in cinemas at a later date, which is yet to be announced.

The drama is directed by John Madden, known for films like ‘Shakespeare in Love.’ The script was written by Paul Mayhew-Archer, who lives with Parkinson’s disease and co-hosts the popular and award-winning podcast, ‘Movers and Shakers’.

The film features a strong cast including Rory Kinnear, known for his role as James Bond’s opponent, Monica Dolan from Black Mirror, and even the actor who played young Peter Mayhew-Archer.

When the show was announced last year, Mayhew-Archer shared that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 at the age of 58. While the condition is incurable and makes everyday tasks like walking, talking, and smiling more challenging, he also expressed gratitude for the unexpected opportunities it has brought into his life.

Honestly, even with everything, I feel incredibly grateful. Parkinson’s has actually led to an amazing opportunity – I get to collaborate with the fantastic director John Madden and a truly wonderful cast to bring this story to the screen. Yes, my Parkinson’s makes things difficult – my hands shake, my speech isn’t always clear, and I sometimes lose my balance. But through it all, I really can’t complain.

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Onwards and Sideways will air on BBC One and iPlayer, and will be released in cinemas soon.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature.

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2026-05-20 16:34