First look images from filming of The Bell Jar show Billie Eilish’s dramatic transformation in her acting debut. Sylvia Plath’s 1963 novel of the same name is set to be adapted for the big screen by Sarah Polley, with Eilish taking on the lead role of Esther Greenwood.
For the film, set in the 1950s, Eilish has ditched her signature grungy style in favour of soft brown locks, a vibrant red lip, and soft eye makeup.
The Bad Guy hitmaker was snapped on set wearing a vintage red short-sleeve sweater, a chequered skirt, matching red heels and handbag, and pearl earrings.
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In another scene, she can be seen drenched in rain while wearing a green short-sleeved dress layered over a light patterned skirt.
Eilish will star alongside Carey Mulligan as Mrs Greenwood, as well as Connor Storrie in an undisclosed role.
The Bell Jar follows college student Esther, who wins a guest editorship at a New York magazine, but as she becomes overwhelmed by societal expectations of women, she experiences severe clinical depression and a mental breakdown, undergoing psychiatric recovery.
Plath’s novel became an instant best-seller in the US at the time of its release, and has since been translated into more than 40 languages.
It has been adapted once before for the big screen by Larry Peerce in 1979, with Marilyn Hassett taking on the role of Esther.
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The Bell Jar is Polley’s first film since she released Women Talking, which won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
The film marks Eilish’s feature film acting debut after she previously had her first acting role in Swarm in 2023 during a guest appearance.
In a 2023 interview with Variety, Eilish explained why she gave up her dream of acting to pursue a music career.
“I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t wanna do this anymore,'” she explained. “I did, but it’s always been a deep thing that I’ve been reluctant to talk about because I thought I was really bad.”
The Bell Jar does not yet have a release date.
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Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
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