Miss 'Succession'? Netflix’s answer is a Rupert Murdoch biopic thriller

Here we go again: Danny Boyle is at it with a proper new film, and if you know his CV — Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, plus that whole 28 Days Later zombie universe — you already know he isn't one for repeats. But for his next trick, Boyle's heading back to the world of theatre with something sharp and, frankly, very British: a big-screen take on James Graham's play, Ink.

The Rise of Murdoch (and The Sun)

Boyle first caught Ink in the West End back in 2017. It’s a historical drama with more adrenaline than you’d expect: young Rupert Murdoch swoops into London, buys up The Sun, and ropes in editor Larry Lamb to turn it into “the people’s paper” — or at least something brash enough to rattle Fleet Street. The plot kicks off around 1969, a year when most of Britain’s glued to the moon landing, but in Boyle’s words, maybe the world should have been paying more attention to this newsroom backroom deal instead.

Here’s how Boyle described that pivotal meeting, speaking to Vanity Fair:

"I really do believe that that meeting between them had more of an impact on our world than the men landing on the moon."

Bit cheeky, but if you know tabloid history, he’s got a point.

Where You’ve Seen This Cast Before

So, who’s involved? Boyle’s roped in Jack O'Connell (he starred in 28 Years Later – that’s the sequel, not the original) to play Larry Lamb. Opposite him, there’s Guy Pearce as Rupert Murdoch, doing his best Aussie-meets-mogul impression. And in a smart bit of casting, Claire Foy (from The Crown and endless other prestige dramas) turns up as Jules, a female reporter in The Sun’s early years.

Jack O'Connell made a real impression on Boyle, who told Vanity Fair:

"He's empathetic even in characters that really shouldn’t be. There's always an empathy point that a great actor will find, and he seems to be able to find them."

And it matters, because yes, the play does keep Murdoch front and centre — but Boyle reckons it’s Lamb who gives the story its bite. There’s a personal angle for Boyle as well: Lamb, like Boyle himself, was a northern lad who moved south and always carried that chip on his shoulder. The director even confessed to Vanity Fair it’s hard not to cling on to that outsider feeling — which probably means we’re in for something a bit sharper than the usual media biopic.

When (and Where) You’ll See Ink

Ink is due to have its world premiere at this year’s Venice Film Festival on 2 September. There’s a limited cinema run from 11 December 2026 if you prefer a proper projector, with a streaming debut on Netflix (in the US and Latin America) set for 8 January 2027.

Ink arrives in cinemas on 11 December 2026, with streaming to follow in January 2027.