Shane Meadows, the much-celebrated director of the cult Brit indie drama “This Is England” and its TV sequels, has returned to the director’s chair for his first feature in more than a decade.
The filmmaker, known for his bold and emotionally-charged storytelling, has wrapped production on “Chork,” which he describes as a “runaway road trip” movie. The film was co-written by Meadow’s long-term collaborator Jack Thorne, with whom he penned the three “This is England” sequels and TV series “The Virtues” (Thorne most recently co-wrote “Adolescence” with Stephen Graham, who broke out as an actor in “This is England”).
Produced by 42 and Unified alongside Meadows’ and Thorne’s own production companies and financed by BBC Film, BFI, Screen Yorkshire and Hoopsa Films, “Chork” is set to be released in U.K. and Irish cinemas in 2026 by Altitude, who are also handling international sales.
Set and shot along the East coast of England, from Kent through Lincolnshire and up to Scotland, “Chork” follows fifteen-year-old Kit and eleven-year-old Ani as they leave their foster home and trek across the coastline in hopes of a brighter future. With the police in pursuit and a national search underway, Kit must use all her determination and wits to protect Ani and fulfil their mission.
Casting was overseen by Shaheen Baig (“Adolescence,” “Hot Milk”), another frequent collaborator of Meadows.
“To be returning to film after 17 years, writing alongside ‘megadude’ Jack Thorne again, and working with so many gifted collaborators, has been an absolute privilege,” said Meadows. “Our story follows two beyond bright, funny as heck and mischievously ingenious young people on a ‘runaway’ road trip the length of this glorious isle. Safe to say, I’m beyond excited about what we’ve captured on their journey. I’m also hugely grateful to our partners at BBC Film, BFI, Screen Yorkshire, Hoopsa Films and Altitude for their undying trust and support throughout.”
Written by Thorne and Meadows, “Chork” is produced by Ben Pugh and Cathy King for 42, Lauren Dark and Amy Jackson for Unified, Meadows’ Big Arty and Thorne’s One Shoe Films, both of whom will also executive Produce. The film is financed by BBC Film, BFI (awarding National Lottery funding), Screen Yorkshire (via the Yorkshire Content Fund), and Hoopsa Films. Executive producers are Eva Yates and Kristin Irving for BBC Film, Louise Ortega for the BFI, Caroline Cooper Charles for Screen Yorkshire, Sonny Gill and Tim Macready for Hoopsa Films and Ali Jazayeri and Keith Kehoe for Three Picture Capital alongside Laura Jackson and Joshua Horsfield. The film was developed with BBC Film.
“The films of Shane Meadows are at the heart of contemporary British independent cinema and we are hugely excited to support his return, with a cast of exceptional new actors, his brilliant writing collaborator Jack Thorne, and an anarchic story of love, redemption and the untapped and profound potential of youth,” said Eva Yates, director of BBC Film.
Louise Ortega, senior production and development executive at the BFI, described “Chork” as a “typically funny, urgent and heartfelt state of the nation piece” seen through the lens of two young girls on a “messy ride” through Britain. “Shane, his cowriter Jack Thorne, his producers Ben, Lauren, Amy and Cathy and their skilled crew of collaborators are weaving irreverent magic which asks timely questions. We can’t wait for their film to be out in the world, inspiring a new generation.”
Added Will Clarke, chairman and co-CEO at Altitude: “We’re all incredibly excited to be working with Shane again and the talented team behind ‘Chork.’ Shane is a distinctive filmmaker and storyteller, and we cannot wait to bring this compelling and charming film to cinema audiences across the U.K., Ireland and beyond. One of British cinema’s shining lights is back on the big screen!”