Billie Eilish in Talks for Film Debut in 'The Bell Jar'

Billie Eilish is set to make her film acting debut, being eyed to play the lead role in the upcoming adaptation of the Sylvia Plath novel, The Bell Jar.

The news follows her winning Song of the Year for “WILDFLOWER” at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in February. This was Eilish’s 10th overall Grammy.

Meanwhile, Eilish made her acting debut in the 2022 Amazon Prime Video satirical thriller series, Swarm. This performance earned her the TV Performance of the Year at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards and got her nominated for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series at the Independent Spirit Awards the same year. She also voiced herself in The Simpsons Disney+ short film, When Billie Met Lisa.

Directed by writer-filmmaker Sarah Polley (Women Talking), The Bell Jar is the sole novel written by Plath and was originally published under the pseudonym “Victoria Lucas” in 1963. The semi-autobiographical novel follows Esther Greenwood’s descent into mental illness during an internship in New York City in the 1950s — a parallel with Plath’s real-life experiences.

Notably, Plath died by suicide a month after the novel was first published in the UK.

Eilish is slowly building up her career in film and entertainment. Her 3D concert film, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (Live in 3D), directed by Hollywood blockbuster filmmaker James Cameron, opens in Philippine cinemas on March 20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Billie Eilish starring in a film adaptation of ‘The Bell Jar’?

Billie Eilish is currently in talks to make her feature film acting debut as lead character Esther Greenwood in a new cinematic adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s classic 1963 novel The Bell Jar, directed by Sarah Polley.

Who is directing the new movie adaptation of ‘The Bell Jar’?

Filmmaker and writer Sarah Polley, who previously won an Academy Award for her film Women Talking, is set to direct the upcoming feature film adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar.

What previous acting roles has Billie Eilish played?

Billie Eilish made her acting debut in the 2022 satirical thriller series Swarm on Amazon Prime Video. She also voiced animated versions of herself in The Simpsons Disney+ short film When Billie Met Lisa.

What is Sylvia Plath’s novel ‘The Bell Jar’ about?

Published in 1963 under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel following protagonist Esther Greenwood during a magazine internship in 1950s New York City as she experiences a mental health crisis.

Who directed Billie Eilish’s 3D concert film?

Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron directed Billie Eilish’s 3D concert film, titled HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR (Live in 3D), which brings her arena tour performance to theatrical movie screens worldwide.

Ralph Regis

Lifestyle and Culture Writer

Ralph Regis is a Lifestyle and Culture Writer at Billboard Philippines, where he bridges the worlds of film, television, fashion, art, food, and cultural trends with both the local and international music scene.

He has written extensively about artist collaborations, brand partnerships, and pop culture moments that connect back to music. He also brings stories to life through in-depth interviews with musicians and personalities, drawing on their diverse perspectives, opinions, and reflections on the human condition.

In addition, Ralph also writes about music releases across a wide range of genres, including pop, hip-hop, P-pop, and rock, highlighting both rising and established artists. With a passion for storytelling that goes beyond trends, he explores how music is part of our daily lives in one form or another, connecting culture, experiences, and everything in between.

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