Chlöe Bailey to Star in ‘Girl From The North Country’, a Film Adaptation of Bob Dylan-Inspired Musical 

Chlöe Bailey is all set to feature in an upcoming film adaptation of Cono McPherson’s ‘Girl From The North Country’ musical which is based on Bob Dylan’s songs. Bailey, who is a member of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, will star in the movie with Olivia Colman and Woody Harrelson. While McPherson will write and direct the movie, Blueprint Pictures will be producing it. As of now, there are no announcements as to when the movie will be released.

The original ‘Girl From The North Country’ musical which was named after Dylan’s song, premiered in London in 2017. It was set in 1934 during the Great Depression, and focused on the owners and travellers at a guesthouse in Duluth, Minnesota, as their lives intersect. The film adaptation will feature Bailey as Marianne, who is the adopted daughter of the proprietor, Nick Lane and his wife, Elizabeth. The musical incorporates 19 songs from Dylan’s catalogue including ‘Slow Train’, ‘I Want You’, ‘Like A Rolling Stone’, ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Idiot Wind’. 

Image Courtesy: Essence Magazine

Dylan, in an interview, said that being associated with McPherson was “one of the highlights of my professional life”. He added, “It goes without saying the man is a genius for putting this thing together and I’m thrilled to be a part of the experience. My songs couldn’t be in better hands. The play had me crying at the end. I can’t even say why. When the curtain came down, I was stunned. I really was.”

McPherson responded to this saying it was a “huge privilege” to have Dylan trust him with his songs. “Working with this incredible cast to bring these characters to life is almost beyond imagining.” The musical went on to have off-Broadway performances in Toronto, Broadway and Australia. The Broadway production garnered many Tony Award nominations and went on to win Best Orchestration. 

“To be a part of a tony award winning musical adaptation, with this stunning cast, is exciting and surreal,” Bailey tweeted announcing her casting in the film. Previously, she has worked in ‘Jane’ and is all set to work on an upcoming horror thriller ‘The Georgetown Project’. 

to be apart of a tony award winning musical adaptation, with this stunning cast, is exciting and surreal… ✨✨ https://t.co/ILScWolivq

— Chlöe (@ChloeBailey) February 6, 2023

Her bandmate Halle is also going to star as Ariel in Disney’s remake of ‘The Little Mermaid’ and as young Nettie Harris in ‘The Color Purple’. Chlöe Bailey’s debut solo studio album ‘In Pieces’ is also going to arrive next month. It was previewed with January’s ‘Pray It Away’. 

– Riya Sohini