The latest in a list of composer biopics, The King of Covent Garden will tell the story of Handel’s writing of the choral work Messiah, which took him just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The part of Handel will be played by Sir Anthony Hopkins, who himself has a close relationship with classical music, having studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama prior to his drama-school enrolment. In 2019 he starred in The Two Popes as Pope Benedict XVI, who famously played the piano and is said to have enjoyed the work of Mozart and Bach. Hopkins is also a composer and regularly posts clips of his piano playing on social media.

Tim Haslam, founder of the film’s production company Embankment Films, said ‘Hopkins and Handel are maestros of their art and together they create a joyous and uplifting cinematic event’. Hopkins isn’t the only musical mind lending its expertise to the film, with Welsh Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins working as Executive Producer.

The King of Covent Garden is due to be released in autumn 2025.