Finn O’Shea and Robert Aramayo star in Lilies Not for Me by director Will Seefried.
Set in 1920s England, the film revolves around a gay novelist and his psychiatric nurse who form an unlikely friendship over a series of doctor-prescribed dates.
Through their conversations, he tells her the story of his relationship with an old friend which spiraled out of control when they turned to a risky procedure to cure themselves of their forbidden feelings for one another.
The director describes the film (via Variety) as a courageous tale “about choosing lover over fear.” He adds,
“The story is inspired by a part of queer history that not many people know about, but it’s shocking how relevant it still is today. The film will move people to reclaim the narratives that haunt them and remember that self-love is a revolutionary act.”
O’Shea plays Owen James, while Aramayo’s character is yet to be revealed.
‘Lilies Not for Me’ Cast
O’Shea is best known for his role as Jamie in Normal People. In queer cinema, he’s best known for starring in Handsome Devil (2016) as Ned Roche alongside Nicholas Galitzine.
In Handsome Devil, Ned and Conor (Galitzine) are forced to share a room in a boarding school, and they learn they have more in common than they know.
Aramayo is best known for playing Elrond in Prime Video‘s The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power TV series.
Lillies Not for Me reunites O’Shea and Aramayo. They were part of the cast of Dance First (2023).
Other cast members include rising stars like Erin Kellyman (Willow), Jodi Balfour (Ted Lasso), and Louis Hofmann (Center of My World, Ripley).
Memento Entertainment will distribute the film. They talked about the film in a statement, saying,
“Lilies Not for Me is a poignant tale of love and resilience. [The] outstanding ensemble cast delivers strong and touching performances, bringing authenticity, depth, and light to this important story.
[It is a] powerful statement on the suffocating constraints of society dictating human behavior and the courage it takes to defy them.”
Lilies Not for Me will premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.