NEVER TOO LATE: ANITA DOBSON AND NIGEL HAVERS LEAD CAST OF PLAY FOR TODAY DRAMA

Inspired by the iconic Play for Today format, each production will champion new voices and focus on bringing low-income talent into the spotlight behind the scenes in writing, directing and production roles. 

Never Too Late

From Vertigo Films is an irreverent take on ageing, following a rebellious woman forced to start over in a retirement village. Set in a deceptively peaceful retirement village, this darkly comic drama follows sharp-tonged, fiercely independent Cynthia as she’s reluctantly moved in by her daughter.

Cynthia clashes with eccentric residents, oppressive rules, and the surprise reappearance of her old rockstar fling from the 1970s. What begins as a mission to get kicked out becomes something more complicated, as she’s forced to confront long-buried secrets, strained family ties, and the unexpected possibility of starting over. It’s a story about second chances, unlikely friendships, and how the messy, defiant reality that life – and love – don’t end with retirement.

Anita Dobson (Doctor Who, The Long Call, Inside No 9, EastEnders, Father Brown) will lead the cast as Cynthia, Nigel Havers (The Gentleman, Chariots of Fire, A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story) will star as Frank, Tracy-Ann Oberman (It’s a Sin, EastEnders, Friday Night Dinner) as Cynthia’s daughter Amanda, Nina Wadia (Count Abdulla, EastEnders) as Heather, Michael Fenton Stevens (Death in Paradise, The Sixth Commandment) as Peter and Natasha Williams (It’s a Sin, EastEnders) as Mary.

Directed by Sara Harrak, Iris Prize recipient 2023 for short film F*KED. Her latest Short film Solers United, was premiered at BFI FLARE in March 2025. Simon Warne and Lydia Marchant will pen the script. Allan Niblo and Nathalie Peter-Contesse are Executive Producers for both Vertigo projects alongside Michelle Antoniades as Producer for both dramas; Screen International Star of Tomorrow, Edinburgh Festival Talent Lab alumni and winner of the Breakthrough Producer award at the British Independent Film Awards in 2021.

Production has begun across all titles with the first drama set to air on 5 at the end of the 2025.