The Education of Jane Cumming

The story is based on the real life story of Marianne Woods and Jane Pirie who were accused by their pupil Jane Cumming of lesbianism in Scotland in the early 19th Century.

• Flora Nicholson as Jane Pirie
• Clare Dunne as Marianne Woods
• Mia Tharia as Jane Cumming
• Fiona Shaw as Lady Cumming Gordon
• Sadie Shimmin as Ann Woods
• Rebecca Martin as Alexandra Dunbar
• Amy Louise Walker as Margot Dunbar
• Eva McMurray as Little Miss Hunter
• Frankie Corio as Mary Cunynghame

The film is written by Flora Nicholson and Sophie Heldman, with Heldman directing and Nicholson a member of the lead cast. It is based on a true story and inspired by the book Scotch Verdict by Lillian Faderman. The real-life story was also an inspiration for Lillian Hellman's 1934 play The Children's Hour.^[1] William Wyler adapted the play twice into a feature film, These Three (1936) and The Children's Hour (1961) starring Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn.

It is a German, Swiss and British co-production produced by Bettina Brokemper of Heimatfilm, Karin Koch of Dschoint Ventschr Filmproduktion and Nadira Murray of Sylph Productions. Alongside Flora Nicholson, Clare Dunne, Mia Tharia and Fiona Shaw are also in the lead cast. Funding also came from the UK Global Screen Fund.^[2]

Principal photography took place in Edinburgh, Scotland and surroundings in March and April 2025.^[3]

The Education of Jane Cumming had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 15 February 2026^[4][5] and is currently on festival tour. Its theatrical release in multiple territories is planned for early 2027.^[6]