Shepka Productions is teaming up with writer and producer Tom Jolliffe (Renegades, War of the Worlds: The Attack) and movie site Flickering Myth for their next film, the 1940s-set Gothic horror tale The Baby in the Basket.
“A baby in a basket is left on the step of an isolated monastery on a remote island off the Scottish coast. The mysterious woman who left the child disappears into the stormy night without a trace, never to be seen again.
Discovering the little boy, the nuns take him in and agree to look after him until the storm passes and they can take the child to the mainland. However, after a night in their care, unsettling things begin to happen, and one of the nuns, Sister Agnes, begins to suspect the child is the son of the devil.
Locked away by the other nuns, who believe Sister Agnes has been driven mad by the isolation, she is haunted by the presence of the child. Has Sister Agnes fallen victim to the desolation of the remote island setting, or is there weight in her suspicion?”
The film is set to star up-and-coming British scream queens Amber Doig-Thorne (Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, Return of Krampus, Override), Michaela Longden (Jack in the Box: Awakening, The Ghost Within, Eating Miss Campbell), Elle O’Hara (When Darkness Falls, Memories of Another, Tommy’s Honour), and Chrissie Wunna (Dirty Games, Bambi: The Reckoning, Dinosaur Hotel).
Nathan Shepka (When Darkness Falls) will direct from the script written by Tom Jolliffe (Firenado), based on a story conceived by Shepka and Jolliffe, who previously worked together on the critically acclaimed thriller, When Darkness Falls.
Shooting will take place in Scotland in the Autumn of 2023, with a release expected sometime in late 2024.
“I’m super excited to be involved in this film. Agnes is a really interesting character. She’s innocent and naive and feels like she’s destined for something greater, but really needs guidance and clarity from God. I think it’s going to be an incredible story which people will really enjoy watching,” Says Amber Doig-Thorne (lead actress)
“We’re really excited to be teaming up with up-and-coming writer/producer Tom Jolliffe and legendary movie website Flickering Myth for this project. We’ve got some great talent attached and I know Amber, Elle and Michaela will all give powerhouse performances. It’ll be a challenge bringing the concept to life, especially with the period setting but the team are looking forward to getting stuck in and I’m looking forward to creating an eerie, atmospheric horror throwback.” States Nathan Shepka (Producer, Shepka Productions).
“The horror genre has always been a huge favourite of ours at Flickering Myth, and so we are delighted to be working with Shepka Productions on this project. We’re incredibly excited by what Nathan and Tom are cooking up with The Baby in the Basket, and can’t wait to share more with our readers, and the wider horror community.” – Gary Collinson (Flickering Myth)
“This is a project that really harks back to a golden age of Gothic horror from the 1940’s to 1970’s. It’s a passion project that’s been exciting to write and a step away from the creature horrors I’ve done previously. Now as a co-producer I’m looking to have more creative control in what I can turn from script to screen,” Says Tom Jolliffe (Producer).
Shepka Productions will produce the Baby in the Basket in collaboration with Tom Jolliffe and in association with Flickering Myth.
The Baby in the Basket is currently running a Kickstarter campaign. You can learn more or contribute here.
