Onwards and Sideways (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Onwards and Sideways is a British comedy-drama about Tony Evans and Emma Dretzin, two strangers whose lives intersect after they receive Parkinson’s diagnoses on the same morning. With Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans in the central roles, the film explores an unexpected connection shaped by humor, dance and shared experience.

Onwards and Sideways is a 2026 British comedy-drama about two people whose lives are suddenly connected by a shared medical diagnosis. Tony Evans, a primary-school deputy head, and Emma Dretzin, a pianist, composer and single mother, begin as strangers before an extraordinary encounter brings them together.

Directed by John Madden and written by Paul Mayhew-Archer, the film stars Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans as Emma and Tony. Its story centers on Parkinson’s disease while also drawing on the characters’ humor and love of dance.

Onwards and Sideways movie details

Story without spoilers

Tony Evans works as the deputy head of a local primary school, while Emma Dretzin is a pianist and composer raising two daughters on her own. Their paths have not crossed until a startling event changes both of their lives.

On the same morning, Tony and Emma are confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. The shared timing of that news creates an unexpected connection between two otherwise separate lives, forming the basis of the film’s dramatic and comedic story.

What to expect

The film combines comedy and drama with a story focused on Parkinson’s disease and the relationship that develops between two strangers facing the same diagnosis. The supplied premise points to a character-led narrative involving family life, music, dance and a sense of humor, rather than a purely medical account.

At 1 hour and 50 minutes, Onwards and Sideways has room to follow both Tony’s work in a primary school and Emma’s life as a musician and mother. Its tone is framed by the contrast between a serious diagnosis and the shared qualities that help bring the characters together.

Cast and creative team

Laura Linney plays Emma Dretzin, while Rhys Ifans plays Tony Evans. The cast also includes Rory Kinnear, Monica Dolan, Isabella Nefar, Leah Byrne, Danielle Galligan, Emma Louise Webb and Paul Mayhew-Archer.

John Madden directs the film, with Paul Mayhew-Archer credited as writer. Mayhew-Archer is also part of the cast.

• Laura Linney as Emma Dretzin
• Rhys Ifans as Tony Evans
• Rory Kinnear
• Monica Dolan
• Isabella Nefar
• Leah Byrne
• Danielle Galligan
• Emma Louise Webb
• Paul Mayhew-Archer

Release and production context

Onwards and Sideways is listed as a 2026 release, with a release date of September 13, 2026. It is marked as released and has a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes.

The film is identified as a United Kingdom production, and its spoken language is English. Production companies are Hilltop Screen, John Gore Studios and BBC.

Production companies: Hilltop Screen, John Gore Studios, BBC

Onwards and Sideways official trailer

Watch the official trailer on YouTube

Movies Dock view

Onwards and Sideways brings together a serious subject and a premise built around an unexpected human connection. With its two central characters introduced through their shared Parkinson’s diagnosis, the film is positioned as a comedy-drama about adapting to a life-changing reality while finding common ground in humor, music and dance.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb