When a devout British woman accuses her rowdy Irish neighbor of sending her a string of lewd letters in 1920s England, a police officer and the accuser’s nosy friends will stop at nothing to find out who’s to blame. The film, from director Thea Sharrock (The Beautiful Game) and writer Jonny Sweet (Chickens), stars Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley, and BAFTA nominee Anjana Vasan.

When will Wicked Little Letters be released?

Stream it now.

Jessie Buckley in Wicked Little Letters

Who’s in the cast of Wicked Little Letters?

• Olivia Colman (The Crown, The Lost Daughter) as Edith Swan
• Jessie Buckley (I’m Thinking of Ending Things, The Lost Daughter) as Rose Gooding, Edith’s neighbor
• Anjana Vasan (Black Mirror, Killing Eve) as Police Constable Gladys Moss
• Timothy Spall (Spencer, the Harry Potter films) as Edward Swan, Edith’s father
• Gemma Jones (Gentleman Jack) as Victoria Swan, Edith’s mother
• Hugh Skinner (Fleabag) as Constable Papperwick
• Paul Chahidi (Chad) as Chief Constable Spedding
• Joanna Scanlan (Boat Story) as Ann, Edith’s friend
• Lolly Adefope (Ghosts) as Kate, Edith’s friend and a postal worker
• Eileen Atkins (Doc Martin) as Mabel, Edith’s friend
• Malachi Kirby (Devils) as Bill, Rose’s boyfriend
• Alisha Weir (Abigail) as Nancy Gooding, Rose’s daughter

Lolly Adefope, Anjana Vasan, and Joanna Scanlan in Wicked Little Letters

What happens in Wicked Little Letters?

The film follows an Irish immigrant, Rose Gooding (Buckley), and her former friend, Edith Swan (Colman), after Edith accuses Rose of sending her countless disparaging, obscenity-filled letters. Rose denies penning the messages — she’s already so outspoken in real life, what would be the point? — while uptight Edith insists Rose is guilty. Who else would want to do Edith harm? After all, it was Edith who called child protective services on Rose, her loud and disruptive neighbor. The scandal ignites chaos throughout their small town when Rose is put on trial, leading Edith’s friends — and the town’s only woman police officer, Gladys (Vasan) — to investigate who the real culprit is. 

Timothy Spall and Jessie Buckley in Wicked Little Letters

Is Wicked Little Letters based on a book?

No, it’s not based on a book. 

Is Wicked Little Letters based on a true story?

Yes, it’s based on the true story of Rose Gooding and Edith Swan. At the time, the hate mail scandal was referred to as the Littlehampton Letters, or the Seaside Mystery. The real events played out in England in 1920 during the UK suffragette movement. 

Where does Wicked Little Letters take place?

The film takes place in Littlehampton, Sussex, England, where the real story occurred.

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