EXCLUSIVE: Henry Rowley, Precious Mustapha and Rosalie Minnitt to Lead Jessica Hof's Comedy-Thriller Short, 'Chinese Takeaway'
By Natalia Albin Legorreta
Chinese Takeaway, the fourth short by Jessica Hof (Don’t be Rude), centres around two students who, in a hectic search for a new flatmate after one bails, end up finding an enigmatically attractive French student who may not be all he seems.
“I can’t describe how excited I am to bring Chinese Takeaway to life,” says Hof. “Having told the story for years as an anecdote it’s so fulfilling seeing it all come together, and with such an experienced, talent-heavy cast and crew. We’ve got an Emmy winner, a BAFTA-nominee, and passion for days in our team.”
The short film will be led by Precious Mustapha (Ted Lasso, The Stranger) and comedian Rosalie Minnitt (How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge)) as the two students and best friends. Minnitt also has a BBC Radio 4 one-woman show, Lady Clementine's Looking For Love, coming out this Valentine’s Day.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this project! I immediately connected with the script and loved its voice,” Minnitt tells Short Stuff. “Super excited to be joining the cast of Chinese Takeaway,” added Mustapha. “Can’t wait for everyone to see the brilliant world Jessica has created.”
Henry Rowley rounds up the cast as their new mysterious flatmate. Rowley found success as a comedy content creator but has recently turned heads in MGM+’s Robin Hood, opposite Sean Bean & Connie Nielsen.
"I really can’t wait to get going on this,” said Rowley, “It’s such a weird and wonderful story and script, and the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people is super exciting.”
On the genre aspects of the short, Hof adds, “I think the thriller sphere, whilst it’s come on in leaps and bounds, is still missing the comedic element that comes from how real people react, and more than that, it’s missing the fact that in these mad moments, women stick together. This is as much a story about the power of female friendship as it is about the quiet dread of not really knowing your flatmate.”
The short will be produced by Roxane Bourges with Curtain Bangs Productions, who recently wrapped The Intimacy Coordinator with previous Short Stuff contributor Louisa Connolly-Burnham. “It’s always a privilege to be trusted with producing a film,” Bourges states. “It feels even more special when I get to collaborate with such incredible talent in front of and behind the camera. And it’s the cherry on top when the story is this memorable!”
Chinese Takeaway is set to start shooting at the start of March.