Palmer proves the ride choice
Hacksaw Ridge star Teresa Palmer will return to Australia to saddle up for the role of heroic jockey Michelle Payne. It was revealed yesterday that Palmer will play the first woman to win the prestigious Melbourne Cup in Ride Like a Girl.
HACKSAW Ridge star Teresa Palmer will return to Australia to saddle up for the role of heroic jockey Michelle Payne.
It was revealed yesterday that Palmer will play the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in Ride Like A Girl.
News Corp can reveal filming will commence across Victoria next March for the Rachel Griffiths’ directed film.
Producer Richard Keddie said he and Griffiths both had an early gut feeling that Palmer was the woman for the role.
“We had a strong instinct from the start that Teresa had what it will take to capture Michelle,” Keddie said. “Her work in Hacksaw Ridge solidified that she was the person for the role.” Keddie revealed the South Australian signed onto the role soon after reading the script. “She loved it,” he said. Keddie also revealed that Payne was consulted on the appointment. “Michelle is really happy with the choice,” he said. Palmer is currently working on a new TV series A Discovery of Witches in the UK, but went online to voice her excitement. “Thrilled that I’ll be playing Michelle Payne in Ride Like A Girl directed by Rachel Griffiths. Starring alongside the amazing Aussie talents of Sam Neill & Jacki Weaver,” she wrote. The jockey herself took to Twitter to give Palmer the thumbs up. “Couldn’t be happier with the choice in you @teresapalmer; I loved the script, very excited for the times ahead,” Payne wrote.