Mike Leigh says Tender Loving Care may be his last film
Mike Leigh has suggested Tender Loving Care may be his last film.
The British writer-director told Deadline's Contenders London event that mobility difficulties had made directing harder, though he did not rule out working again, according to Deadline. He was speaking on 10 October alongside stars Kate O'Flynn and Marion Bailey to discuss the new drama.
Tender Loving Care follows Amy, played by O'Flynn, and Rosie, played by Alice Bailey Johnson. Both women work as social workers in London, and the story picks up Amy's life after a break-up when she moves in with her best friend, details confirmed across festival coverage and The Hollywood Reporter.
The cast also includes Bailey and Paul Jesson. The BFI credits Leigh as director-screenwriter of the 2026 UK film, which runs 107 minutes.
Leigh is known for building films without a finished script. He works with actors over long rehearsals to develop characters and story together before shooting starts.
O'Flynn described the process as practical teamwork. She said it came down to exploring what her character would know at any moment, and how she would react.
Leigh said the idea began with a wish to explore something "positive and care". It then narrowed to social workers, seen both at work and in their private lives, Deadline reported.
The film began its festival run at Telluride before travelling to San Sebastian. There it took the Golden Shell, the festival's top prize, plus Best Screenplay, while O'Flynn won the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance.
Release dates are now set on both sides of the Atlantic. Bleecker Street will open the film in the United States on 4 December, with StudioCanal to release it in the UK next year. Bleecker Street also plans to submit it for Golden Globes consideration in the comedy category, where awards organisers split contenders into comedy or drama, according to Variety.
What makes this stand out is the pairing of recognition and farewell talk. A festival winner is entering awards season while its maker is openly weighing whether he will make another.
