Manori Ravindran International EditorAmy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” is close to securing its lead.Multiple sources tell Variety that Marisa Abela, one of the stars of HBO and BBC drama “Industry,” is a frontrunner to play Winehouse.
It’s believed Abela is in discussions, though the role isn’t yet locked in and a small group of other actors are also believed to be in the mix.As previously reported, the role was always intended to go to a newcomer, and producers have been keen to hire a fresh face rather than go down the pop-star casting route.The scene-stealing Abela plays the privileged but troubled Yasmin Kara-Hanani in the sexy, London-set financial thriller “Industry,” which returns next month for Season 2.
The 25-year-old British actor also starred in Sky TV series “COBRA” and appears alongside James Norton in the crime thriller “Rogue Agent” (previously titled “Freegard”).
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