Trans equality advocate and actor Rebecca Root will appear alongside Love Actually’s Emma Thompson and Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston in Hear Me Roar, an upcoming film about a landmark trans marriage case in the UK. Based on the Bellinger vs. Bellinger High Court case, the narrative follows Elizabeth Bellinger as she undertakes a three-year battle and campaigns to have her union legally recognised. 

Directed by Amy Coop, the film will tell the story of Bellinger – a trans woman who had married Michael Bellinger, the only person for nearly 20 years to know she was transgender. The High Court failed to recognise her gender and marriage, and so, arguing that this was discriminatory and a violation of her human rights under the European Convention of Human Rights, she took her case to the House of Lords.  

Despite the many obstacles she faced, her landmark case led the government to publish a draft of the Gender Recognition Bill in July 2003. A year later, trans people were allowed by Royal assent to legally change their gender and have it recognised for all purposes, including marriage. 

Set in the 2000s, Hear Me Roar not only carefully depicts Bellinger’s intimate life, but also a major moment in British history that represented a significant shift in LGBTQ+ people’s lives. 

Elizabeth Bellinger will be played by Rebecca Root, who is known for her roles in Netflix hits The Queen’s Gambit and Sex Education. Christopher Eccleston will portray her husband, while Emma Thompson will play the judge in the case, Elizabeth Butler-Sloss. 

“I’m weeping like a baby, it’s so moving and powerful and funny. It’s a great story and script with wonderful characters – I just loved it and it moved me deeply. I think it’s both fascinating and profoundly meaningful and essential,” said two-time Academy Award winner Thompson.  

The expectations for Hear Me Roar are undoubtedly high, but at this point, the film about the landmark trans marriage case appears to be promising. However, the only announcement so far has been the confirmation of the cast, so hold onto your hats for further news about this brand-new queer drama.