Harry Styles in ‘My Policeman’ Movie: Everything We Know About the Cast, Plot and More

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Harry Styles in 'My Policeman' Movie: Everything We Know About the Cast, Plot and More

Just stop your crying ... because another Harry Styles movie is on the way. After making his big-screen debut in 2017's Dunkirk and wrapping Don't Worry Darling in February 2021, the "Watermelon Sugar" singer is hard at work on his next film, My Policeman. First announced in September 2020, the movie will feature Styles as Tom Burgess, the titular policeman who marries a woman named Marion (Emma Corrin) while carrying on a relationship with a museum curator named Patrick Hazelwood (David Dawson). Based on the novel of the same name by Bethan Roberts, My Policeman is a period piece that takes place in both the 1950s and 1990s. The former One Direction member will play young Tom, while Linus Roache will take on the role for the later years of the story. Styles hasn't yet spoken publicly about his role in the film, but Dunkirk clearly gave him the acting bug — and impressed film industry veterans too. Christopher Nolan, who directed Dunkirk, claimed he didn't know "how famous" the Gucci spokesmodel was when he hired him for the movie, but he was impressed by his performance. "The truth is, I cast Harry because he fit the part wonderfully and truly earned a seat at the table," the Oscar winner told the Associated Press in 2017. [jwplayer D1LtUQt9-l3ahXupL] Veteran actor Mark Rylance, who starred alongside Styles in Dunkirk, had nothing but positive things to say about his costar during the press tour. “What’s really surprised me is he’s really witty, really funny — he really makes me laugh," he told the Evening Standard in 2016. “He seems remarkable ... one of those people [who has] — Sean Penn has it too — a kind of panache. I look at them and think, ‘How did you get that? How do you get so that life is easy?’ But he has got a lovely, lovely character. It’s a gift.” Olivia Wilde, who is now dating the "Fine Line" singer, also praised his acting skills after working with him on Don't Worry Darling, which she directed. “Little known fact: most male actors don’t want to play supporting roles in female-led films,” she wrote in February, after filming for the movie wrapped. “Enter: @harrystyles, our ‘Jack.’ Not only did he relish the opportunity to allow for the brilliant @florencepugh to hold center stage as our ‘Alice,’ but he infused every scene with a nuanced sense of humanity. He didn’t have to join our circus, but he jumped on board with humility and grace, and blew us away every day with his talent, warmth, and ability to drive backwards." Based on these glowing reviews, the Grammy winner seems poised to make another splash in My Policeman. Keep scrolling to find out everything we know about the movie so far: [podcast_block]

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When Will It Be Released?

My Policeman debuts in select theaters on October 21, 2022, before hitting Prime Video on November 4, 2022.

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Who Gets to Kiss Harry?

Corrin, who replaced Lily James in the role of Marion, has already been photographed sharing at least one steamy moment with the heartthrob. Dawson, meanwhile, frolicked on the beach with Styles in period-appropriate swim outfits in May, but so far hasn't kissed him in view of any cameras. Given that their characters are supposed to be lovers, though, an onscreen smooch seems probable.

Other cast members who will likely not get to kiss Styles include Rupert Everett as older Patrick and Gina McKee as older Marion.

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The Plot

Homosexuality was illegal in the U.K. until 1967, so when the earlier parts of the movie take place, Patrick and Tom's romance puts them in danger of prosecution. It's not clear yet what time period the later portions will occur, but in the book, the action picks up in the 1990s when Patrick, now much older and infirm, arrives at Marion and Tom's home for a visit.

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The Source Material

Published in 2012, Roberts' book My Policeman is set in Brighton, a seaside town in the southern part of England where some filming has already occurred. The novel received positive reviews upon release, with The Guardian describing it as a "dashing" work that is "a humane and evocative portrait of a time when lives were destroyed by intolerance."

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An Experienced Team

Veteran theater director Michael Grandage, who won a Tony in 2010 for his work on the play Red, is directing the movie. Ron Nyswaner, whose Philadelphia screenplay earned him an Oscar nomination, wrote the script, and Greg Berlanti, cocreator of the CW's Arrowverse, is one of the film's producers.

Credit: Courtesy Emma Corrin/Instagram

That’s a Wrap!

Corrin announced in June 2021 that filming was complete. 

“Aaaaand that’s a falafel wrap baaaaby,” they wrote via Instagram alongside some behind-the-scenes pictures.

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Getting Closer

Rupert Everett, who worked alongside Styles and Corrin on the upcoming movie, hinted at when fans could expect to see the singer on the big screen. "Next year, I think," Everett told Variety in August 2021. "It was lovely to make, it’s a great story from the book of the same name. I play someone who had a very bad stroke, a very different type of character. I had one scene with Harry Styles, he plays a younger version of another character and I was one of the old codgers. I really enjoyed it."

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Stripping Down

“There’s no peen in the final cut. There’s bum-bum,” Styles teased of his steamy role in the film during a May 2022 appearance on The Howard Stern Show. “I don’t think the peen was intended to be involved.”

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In Character

In June 2022, Prime Video released several stills of Styles and Corrin from the movie. In one photo, their characters seemed to be enjoying a conversation at the pool.

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A First Look

The first teaser for My Policeman, which Prime Video released in June 2022, seems to hint at Tom and Patrick's first meeting as they discuss a painting hanging in a museum. "You can sense the waves. You know how strong they are," Styles' character says in voiceover. "You feel they could crush you or take you under. You just have to let it take hold of you." Alongside his description, there are quick flashes of Tom's life and romance with Marion — as well as flashes of meaningful moments he shares with Patrick in secret.

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Pre-Release Drama

Ahead of the film's premiere, Styles drew backlash for his comments about My Policeman's sex scenes during an August 2022 interview with Rolling Stone. “So much of gay sex in film is two guys going at it, and it kind of removes the tenderness from it," the "Late Night Talking" singer said. "There will be, I would imagine, some people who watch it who were very much alive during this time when it was illegal to be gay, and [director Grandage] wanted to show that it’s tender and loving and sensitive.”

Social media users immediately began to question Styles' take on "gay sex in film," noting that explicit scenes could also be "tender." Some fans also speculated that Billy Eichner subtweeted the star while promoting his own upcoming film Bros. "I'm SO excited the entire cast of BROS is openly LGBTQ," the American Horror Story alum tweeted after Rolling Stone published its interview with Styles. "For a century, we've watched countless actors who weren't gay take nearly all the high profile LGBTQ roles. Now we FINALLY get to play ourselves and tell our own stories in a major wide release. LET'S MAKE HISTORY SEPT 30!!!"

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The Trailer

The film’s official trailer debuted in September 2022, showing the early relationship between Styles and Corrin’s characters before the rock star’s Tom embarks on an “all-consuming” romance with David Dawson’s character, Patrick. The movie eventually flashes forward to the 1990s where Tom (Linus Roache), Marion (Gina McKee) and Patrick (Rupert Everett) are still reeling with longing and regret of the past.

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The Star's Take on the Story

“For me, the reason why the story is so devastating is that, ultimately, the whole story is about wasted time, and I think wasted time is the most devastating thing,” Styles said during a September 2022 press conference at the Toronto International Film Festival. “Because it’s the one thing we cannot control. It’s the one thing you can’t have back. And I think the one thing that I think matters — whatever kind of life you’ve lived — at the end when you think back on time with people you love.”

The "Canyon Moon" singer added that the film's themes are "incredibly timeless," which is one reason he was drawn to the script. “I think the most beautiful thing about the story is that all of the characters have some really nice qualities, and they also have some flaws that we might hope not to have but, as humans, we all have them,” he explained. “And I think, at different points in the story, you’re able to see bits of yourself and sometimes maybe not your favorite parts of yourself in different characters. And I think that’s why it kind of resonated with me so much.”

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How Does Harry Styles Feel About Being Part of 'My Policeman'?

“This film is about love, and wasted time, and how hard it can be to be in love," the “Adore You” singer at the Los Angeles premiere of the Prime Video movie in October 2022. "And we hope you enjoy the film as much as we enjoyed making it."

Prior to the screening, Styles shared that he had a “wonderful experience making it and being a part of it,” noting that he’s “really proud” to be part of the film.

"And working with David, and Emma, and Michael, and everyone throughout the process was... It was a really, really special thing for me," he continued. *