Universal Pictures and Focus Features have tapped Eloise Mumford to play Anastasia Steele’s roommate in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” in what appears to be one of the last big roles to cast before the film goes into production next month.
The casting of ‘Kate Kavanagh’ had been a high priority for the filmmakers after Charlie Hunnam was originally cast as Christian Grey. Universal was looking at other actresses for the role and had been testing girls with Dakota Johnson, but Hunnam’s departure moved their focus back to Christian Grey with the roommate part remaining vacant.
Jamie Dornan ultimately replaced Hunnam in the lead and Jennifer Ehle and Luke Grimes round out the cast, with Sam Taylor-Johnson directing.
PHOTOS: Jamie Dornan, from model to Christian Grey
Based on the bestselling book “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E L James, the movie follows the relationship of 27-year-old billionaire Grey and college student Steele. The subsequent novels in the series are “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed.”
The trilogy has been translated in 52 languages worldwide since its release. To date, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has sold more than 90 million copies worldwide in e-book and print, making it one of the fastest-selling book series ever.
Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti are producing the film. Kelly Marcel penned the script.
The Paradigm repped Mumford can be seen next in the Universal pick “Not Safe for Work” for Jason Blum and the indie “Drones.” She also appeared in ABC’s “The River.”
Prior to getting her start in film and television, Mumford was the understudy for Elisabeth Moss in the David Mamet Broadway play “Speed-the-Plow.”
