If 2020 was the year of Zoom calls, could 2021 be time to return to traditional letter writing? Felicity Jones and Shailene Woodley’s upcoming Netflix romance may have you feeling inspired to put pen to paper.

Adapted from The Last Letter From Your Lover, a novel by Jojo Moyes (also known for penning Me Before You), the upcoming dual-narrative drama takes places in two different eras, following the lives and loves of Jennifer Stirling (Woodley, Big Little Lies), an American woman living in 1960’s London and contemporary London journalist, Ellie Haworth (Jones, The Theory Of Everything). Though decades apart in age, the two women’s lives are intertwined when Ellie stumbles across some heartbreakingly beautiful love letters addressed to Jennifer in the archives at the newspaper where she works.

Lost love letters coming to light decades later might sound like the stuff of overly-sentimental viewing, but Jones — who had been eager to work on a project with novelist Moyes for some time — found herself charmed by the story’s romance yet lack of “schmaltz.” “The moment I was sent the script, the stars just aligned,” she tells EW. “I liked how human it was; it was just an immediate response. It had such fun to it, as well as being quite emotional.”

When Woodley came on board later, it was the chance to work with director Augustine Frizzell (Never Goin’ Back, Euphoria) that had her ready to sign on, no questions asked. “Before I even read the script I was inclined to say yes,” she says. “I had been really wanting to work with Augustine and just loved her as a human being… Then I read the script and it was really beautifully executed — I don’t feel like there’s a lot of movies that are told this way and are also executed in a way that’s thoroughly entertaining and intelligent.”

Beyond the source material and director, both Jones and Woodley found themselves drawn to a story of women discovering their identities and reckoning with the romantic, life decisions they’ve made. “You witness a woman’s journey in how she chooses to live her life,” says Woodley, whose character Jennifer finds herself falling in love with troubled journalist Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner, Fantastic Beasts) while married to the frightfully well-to-do, yet cold Laurence Stirling (Joe Alwyn, The Favourite). “You recognize the struggles that come with being a woman, specifically in that time era, making decisions for herself and choosing a path that perhaps isn’t the most well-worn, yet is the most fulfilling. There aren’t a lot of stories about women who do make decisions for themselves even though there are serious consequences and repercussions.”

I have added the first still of Felicity Jones from her new movie, ‘Last Letter from Your Lover’. I can’t wait to get more stuff!

Netflix has acquired nearly all worldwide rights to “The Last Letter From Your Lover,” a romantic drama starring Felicity Jones and Shailene Woodley. Financial terms of the deal are not known, but the pact includes domestic rights.

StudioCanal, which put together the picture, will release the film in the U.K., France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand. StudioCanal’s output partner Svensk will distribute the film in Scandinavia. The company will be selling the film in China, where Netflix does not operate.

Based on the best-selling novel by Jojo Moyes, “The Last Letter From Your Lover” is a dual-narrative love story that follows Ellie (Jones), a young journalist in contemporary London who uncovers a series of love letters recounting a star-crossed affair in the 1960s. That romance between Jennifer Stirling (Woodley) and Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner) is so intense that Ellie becomes obsessed with finding the couple and discovering how their story ended. Moyes’ book is a favorite of many readers, having sold over three million copies worldwide.

Augustine Frizzell (“Euphoria”) is directing the film from a script by Nick Payne and Esta Spalding. The cast also includes Nabhaan Rizwan, Joe Alwyn, and Ncuti Gatwa.

Pete Czernin and Graham Broadbent of Blueprint Pictures produced the picture along with Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss of The Film Farm.

Jones is an Oscar nominee for “The Theory of Everything” and the star of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” She will next be seen in the adventure film “The Aeronauts” opposite her “The Theory of Everything” co-star Eddie Redmayne. Woodley recently appeared in the second season of “Big Little Lies” and starred in “The Fault in Our Stars.” Her upcoming projects include the romantic drama “Endings, Beginnings.” Both actresses also served as executive producers on “The Last Letter From Your Lover.”

Principal photography is currently underway in Mallorca and will soon move to the U.K. A release date has yet to be announced. [Source]

Felicity Jones, Shailene Woodley, Callum Turner, Nabhaan Rizwan, Joe Alwyn and Ncuti Gatwa have been set to star in feature The Last Letter From Your Lover.

Blueprint Pictures, The Film Farm and Studiocanal are behind the movie, which begins shoot next Monday in Mallorca before moving to the UK. Augustine Frizzell (Euphoria) is directing.

The film is a dual-narrative love story set between London and the Riviera, based on the best-selling novel by Jojo Moyes. Moyes’ novel has sold more than three million copies worldwide and has been translated into 33 languages.

The story follows Ellie (Jones), a young female journalist in contemporary London who uncovers a series of love letters in the archives which tell the story of an intensely romantic but star-crossed affair in the 1960s between Jennifer Stirling (Woodley) and Anthony O’Hare (Turner). As Ellie is drawn into the story, she becomes obsessed with discovering the lovers’ identities and finding out how their love story ends.

Pete Czernin and Graham Broadbent of Blueprint Pictures are producing alongside Simone Urdl and Jennifer Weiss of The Film Farm. Felicity Jones and Shailene Woodley are both executive producing. Studiocanal are fully financing and distributing in the UK, France, Germany, Australia & New Zealand, and selling worldwide.

Jones is represented by WME, Independent Talent, Peikoff Mahan and Rogers & Cowan. Woodley is represented by Hyperion and Management 360, with lawyers Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson. [Source]