Musician and producer Dave Stewart is set to direct a new musical film, Ebony McQueen, based on his life in Sunderland, England. The project will feature a mix of British, South Asian, and American talent and will be filmed on location in the city.
The film, which draws inspiration from Stewart’s early life, follows the story of a young man whose dreams of becoming a professional footballer are dashed by injury. He discovers a talent for music, leading him on a journey of self-discovery amidst the social and economic challenges of the early 1970s.
Academy Award-nominated director Shekhar Kapur is attached to the project, with a script by Stewart, Lorne Campbell, Selma Dimitrijevic, and Peter Souter. The film is being produced by David Parfitt and David Jacobson, with Malcolm Gerrie serving as executive producer.
Sharon D. Clarke, a three-time Olivier Award winner, will star in the titular role, alongside up-and-coming musician Tom A. Smith. Production is slated to begin in early 2025.
Dave Stewart is a singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and co-founder of the Eurythmics. With a career spanning four decades, he has amassed over 100 million album sales worldwide. His work has earned him numerous awards, including multiple Grammy, BRIT, and Ivor Novello honors.
Stewart’s contributions to the music industry have been recognized with inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the U.S. Library of Congress National Recording Registry for the Eurythmics’ hit “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).” Both Stewart and his Eurythmics partner Annie Lennox were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, and the band was honored by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
In addition to his work with Eurythmics, Stewart has released solo projects, including the 2022 album Ebony McQueen. He also collaborated with Italian artists Mokadelic and actress Greta Scarano on the 2023 music short film and album Who To Love. Stewart has continued to tour with his band, the Dave Stewart Eurythmics.
