Following her Emmy nomination for the second season of Beef (2023– ) Carey Mulligan has been added to the cast of The Bell Jar. For example, she will play a role alongside pop star Billie Eilish. The film adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s iconic book is directed by Sarah Polley (Women Talking (2022)).
Under pressure from expectations
The Bell Jar describes the decline of Esther Greenwood, played by Billie Eilish. She is an intelligent, beautiful and immensely talented student growing up in 1950s America, struggling with the pressures of society and her own ambitions. During a summer in which she lands a prestigious, coveted job at a magazine in New York City, Esther must contend with the rising expectations of marriage and motherhood and having to give up her dreams to achieve them. She becomes increasingly disillusioned and her mental health deteriorates, eventually leading to her undergoing severe treatment and therapy. Mulligan will play Mrs. Playing Greenwood, Esther’s mother.
The film follows student Esther Greenwood’s mental health journey as she takes a job at a magazine.
Film debut
The project marks the film debut of global star Billie Eilish. Although The Bell Jar will be her first major film role, Eilish already has a strong bond with the film world. The singer is the youngest two-time Oscar winner ever, winning Best Original Song with “No Time to Die” from the James Bond film No Time to Die (2021) en met “What Was I Made For?” uit Barbie (2023). She also worked with Avatar (2009) director James Cameron on her recent concert film Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (2026).
Impressive career
Mulligan has been nominated three times for an Oscar for her critically acclaimed roles in the films An Education (2009), Promising Young Woman (2020) en Bradley Coopers Maestro (2023). Opposite Oscar Isaac, Mulligan received praise this year for her sharp performance in the second season of the Netflix series Beef (2023– ).
Further information not yet known
Who will join Eilish and Mulligan in the cast or when will filming begin? The Bell Jar will start is not yet known.
