Charlotte Kirk Stars in Neil Marshall’s Upcoming Action-Thriller ‘Duchess’

Vertigo Releasing has officially announced the release date for the highly anticipated action-thriller Duchess, directed by Neil Marshall, the director behind horror favourites Dog Soldiers and The Descent. The film, which stars Charlotte Kirk, is set to hit select UK cinemas and be available for digital download from 12th August.

Duchess centres around a small-time crook named Scarlett Monaghan, known as Duchess, who attempts to infiltrate the perilous world of diamond trafficking. When a deal goes disastrously wrong, she is left for dead. However, driven by a fierce desire for retribution, Duchess embarks on an unrelenting quest for vengeance. The film promises a gripping narrative filled with intense action sequences and a compelling portrayal of a woman’s struggle for justice.

The film boasts a stellar cast including Charlotte Kirk (The Lair), Philip Winchester (Strike Back), Colm Meaney (Layer Cake), Hoji Fortuna (That Dirty Black Bag), Colin Egglesfield (Something Borrowed), Stephanie Beachum (Dynasty), and Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers, Gotham).

Director Neil Marshall expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the enduring fascination with the criminal underworld in cinema. “The criminal underworld, and especially gangsters, have been staple movie fodder since movies were invented, and their popularity is as strong as ever. Just look at the success of movies such as Goodfellas, The Departed, Pulp Fiction, True Romance or TV series like Narcos, Ozark and Breaking Bad. The universal appeal of criminals and their nefarious endeavours shows no sign of wavering,” Marshall noted.

Marshall also discussed the significance of female-driven action movies and the cultural impact of characters like Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor. He sees Duchess following in this tradition. “With Duchess I wanted to create a British action crime thriller with international appeal. While its themes of love lost and revenge taken are universal, I decided early on in the development of the script that rather than go down the traditional route of East End gangsters and cockney swagger, I wanted to broaden its scope, not just in terms of its visual texture and style, but also its central story. I changed up drug deals for the more mysterious and somewhat enticing world of international diamond smuggling.”

Marshall’s vision for Duchess also includes a distinct visual aesthetic. “Instead of the rainy back streets of London, I wanted to give this film a sun-baked and vibrant look. And of course, the movie is packed full of exciting and intense action sequences in the great tradition of films like Heat, The Untouchables and Scarface. Duchess is a fresh take on a genre we all love, and it’s a hell of a wild ride,” he added.

You can watch the trailer for Duchess below, and hopes are high that the film delivers the level of excitement that the trailer does!

Duchess trailer