Millicent Simmonds lands lead role with Rachel Brosnahan in Helen Keller biopic

A Quiet Place star Millicent Simmonds has landed a lead role in a new biopic about Helen Keller.

The actress and deaf activist, who plays Regan Abbott in the 2018 horror film and its 2020 follow-up, will play the famed author and deaf, blind and disability rights activist in Helen & Teacher alongside The Marvelous Mrs Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan.

Related: A Quiet Place Part II star Millicent Simmonds felt "more pressure" making horror sequel

The latter will take on the role of Anne Sullivan, her committed yet controlling companion, as the movie documents Keller's tumultuous time at Radcliffe College of Harvard University in the early 1900s.

During her time there, her rapidly expanding world-view and sexual awakening bring her into direct conflict with the conservative Sullivan, and things escalate when the latter is courted by publisher John Macy as the bonds of their friendship are tested.

Helen & Teacher will be directed by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice), based on a screenplay by him and Laetitia Mikles, and will begin production in summer 2022.

"Most people only know of Helen Keller's story from when she was a child," Westmoreland said (via The Hollywood Reporter). "Helen & Teacher will look at her as a young adult when she developed a radical, world-changing political voice.

"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."

Related: Gilmore Girls reunion confirmed for Marvelous Mrs Maisel season 4

Simmonds, who is actually a distant cousin of Keller's, has also appeared in Wonderstruck and Andi Mack.

Brosnahan, meanwhile, is perhaps best known for playing the titular stand-up comedian in Amazon's Mrs Maisel, and recently appeared alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in The Courier.

Helen & Teacher currently has no release date.

You Might Also Like

• Animal Crossing New Horizons is finally announced on Nintendo Switch

• How to watch Amazon Prime on your TV, smartphone and tablet – and enjoy Good Omens online

• Nintendo to release two new Switch consoles this year