Olivia Colman stars in 'superb' love story 'Wicker'

The Broadchurch actress takes on an 'unfortunate' new role as a smelly fisherwoman who commissions a wicker husband.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Olivia Colman is set to star in the upcoming period drama 'Wicker', which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. In the film, Colman plays a lonely fisherwoman in a small village who commissions the local basketmaker to build her a husband made entirely of wicker after being constantly mocked by her neighbors. The bonkers but brilliant premise also stars Alexander Skarsgård, Peter Dinklage, and Elizabeth Debicki.

Why it matters

Colman's role in 'Wicker' marks a departure from her usual parts, as she takes on the 'unfortunate' but compelling character of a smelly, single fisherwoman who takes matters into her own hands. The film's unique premise and talented ensemble cast have generated buzz, with critics praising it as 'twice as good as other period dramas'.

The details

Based on Ursula Wills-Jones's short story 'The Wicker Husband', 'Wicker' follows Colman's character, a fisherwoman in a small village who is constantly ridiculed by her neighbors for her smell and single status. Desperate for companionship, she commissions the local basketmaker, played by Skarsgård, to construct a husband made entirely of wicker. Their unconventional relationship sparks outrage, jealousy, and chaos in the community.

  • The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2026.

The players

Olivia Colman

An acclaimed British actress known for her roles in 'Broadchurch', 'The Crown', and 'The Favourite', among others.

Alexander Skarsgård

A Swedish actor known for his roles in 'Big Little Lies', 'True Blood', and 'The Legend of Tarzan'.

Peter Dinklage

An American actor best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister in the HBO series 'Game of Thrones'.

Elizabeth Debicki

An Australian actress who has appeared in films such as 'Tenet', 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2', and 'The Great Gatsby'.

Alex Huston Fischer

The director of 'Wicker', known for his work on films like 'Palm Springs' and 'Stranger Things'.

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What they’re saying

“The movie is about a fisherwoman in a small village. She stinks, she's got a unibrow, everybody makes fun of her. One day she's had enough, she goes to the local basket maker to commission a husband made out of wicker.”

— Alex Huston Fischer, Director of 'Wicker' (Deadline)

“It's intrinsically a very visual premise. And it just felt like it would be an amazing translation to screen. So that was a huge draw. And sort of the challenge of, 'What would a wicker man look like?' It was really exciting to us.”

— Alex Huston Fischer, Director of 'Wicker' (Deadline)

What’s next

A release date for 'Wicker' has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to arrive in theaters shortly after its Sundance premiere.

The takeaway

Olivia Colman's 'unfortunate' new role in the 'superb' love story 'Wicker' showcases her versatility as an actress, tackling a unique and unconventional premise that has already earned praise from critics. The film's talented ensemble cast and visually striking premise have generated significant buzz, making it a highly anticipated release for fans of period dramas and offbeat romantic stories.