Cynthia Erivo Hopes ‘Prima Facie’ Sparks Conversations About Sexual Violence
Cynthia Erivo stars as a barrister whose assault case tests the legal system and fuels a film aimed at sparking debate on consent and accountability.
- On Sunday, Actor Cynthia Erivo premiered 'Prima Facie' at the Toronto International Film Festival , where the drama received a standing ovation at Roy Thompson Hall.
- Erivo portrays Tessa Ensler, a rising British barrister who frequently defends men accused of sexual assault, until she is raped by a colleague and forced to navigate the legal system she once mastered.
- Director Susanna White adapted the film from Screenwriter Suzie Miller's globally acclaimed one-woman stage play, expanding the narrative to examine consent and accountability through the experiences of a woman of color in London.
- Erivo hopes the project sparks meaningful conversations about sexual violence, telling Reuters, "Things can feel like they're permanent if no one does anything to shift or change them."
- Co-Star Daniel Ings received praise from Erivo for his commitment to the role, as involving male actors helps ensure stories about consent and sexuality continue to be told.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Cynthia Erivo’s Riveting ‘Prima Facie’ Performance Earns TIFF Standing Ovation
Cynthia Erivo already earned two best actress Oscar nominations for portraying Harriet Tubman and the green-skinned Elphaba in “Wicked” — not to mention her Tony-winning work in “The Color Purple” — but her latest film, “Prima Facie,” might be her most challenging high-wire act yet. She pulled it off, according to the audience at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday night. “Prima Facie” held its world premiere at the Roy Thompson H…
'Prima Facie' Review: Cynthia Erivo Captivates But Something Is Lost In This Stage-To-Screen Adaptation
TORONTO – Perhaps the best compliment you can give a play adapted into a film is that, on the big screen, it didn’t seem like it originated on the stage. Before watching “Prima Facie,” adapted by playwright Suzie Miller from her own source material and directed by Susanna White, we had completely forgotten this new movie was based on the acclaimed one-woman play that saw Jodie Comer win both Olivier and Tony Awards for her performance. Continue …
‘Prima Facie’ Review: Cynthia Erivo Stars as a Lawyer Who Becomes a Rape Victim in This Misfire of an Adaptation
The Oscar nominee tackles the role originated by Jodie Comer on the West End and Broadway in Susanna White's film version of Suzie Miller's award-winning play.
'Prima Facie' Film Review: Cynthia Erivo As Lawyer In Her Own Rape Trial
In 2022 Jodie Comer took the theatrical world by storm in Suzie Miller’s one-woman play, Prima Facie, which won Olivier Awards for the West End production, including Best Actress for Comer who repeated her triumph on Broadway and won the Tony Award. Now, for whatever reason, Comer did not reprise her role for the film […]
‘Prima Facie’ Review: Cynthia Erivo Leads a Complex, Fascinating Adaptation of the Powerful One-Woman Show
TIFF 2026: The "Wicked" star plays a barrister who becomes the plaintiff in a strong, but incredibly different take on Suzie Miller’s award-winning play
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