James Norton’s Emotional New Drama Is Being Called His Best Since Happy Valley — And You Can Watch It at Home Tonight

James Norton has delivered some unforgettable performances throughout his career, but his latest film takes him into particularly emotional territory.

The Happy Valley actor stars alongside Bella Ramsey and Jessica Gunning in Sunny Dancer, a 2026 coming-of-age drama that blends heartbreak, humour and the complicated realities of family life.

The film follows a teenage cancer survivor whose parents send her to a summer camp she desperately wants to avoid. What begins as an unwanted experience gradually becomes an unexpected opportunity to reclaim the teenage years she has missed.

With a cast that also includes Neil Patrick Harris and a surprise appearance from James Blunt, Sunny Dancer offers a moving story without losing its sense of humour.

What Is Sunny Dancer About?

Bella Ramsey plays Ivy, a 17-year-old girl who has recently entered remission after undergoing cancer treatment.

All she wants is an ordinary summer spent enjoying herself with friends.

Her father Bob, played by James Norton, has other ideas.

Concerned about his daughter’s future, he arranges for Ivy to spend four weeks at a cancer camp in the Scottish countryside.

Ivy is far from enthusiastic about the plan and initially struggles with the idea of spending her summer surrounded by other young people who have experienced serious illness.

But life at the camp turns out to be very different from what she imagined.

She clashes with camp president Patrick, played by Neil Patrick Harris, before gradually forming friendships and discovering opportunities for independence, rebellion and adventure.

The film follows Ivy as she attempts to experience the ordinary milestones of adolescence while coming to terms with everything she has already endured.

James Norton and Jessica Gunning Bring Emotional Depth

Although Bella Ramsey leads the story, James Norton plays an important role as Ivy’s father.

His character is a parent who has lived through the fear of potentially losing his child and now struggles to balance protecting her with allowing her to grow up.

Jessica Gunning, known for Baby Reindeer, portrays Ivy’s mother, Karen.

Speaking to Heart Radio, Norton explained that the parents’ appearances frame the story, while the central focus remains on Ivy’s experiences at camp.

He also described the film as one that would make audiences laugh and cry.

The supporting cast includes Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ruby Stokes, Earl Cave, Conrad Khan and Louis Gaunt, while singer James Blunt makes a cameo appearance as himself.

The Personal Story Behind the Film

Sunny Dancer is written and directed by George Jaques, who was just 25 when the film premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in 2026.

The story has a deeply personal connection to the filmmaker, whose mother experienced cancer.

Speaking to Screen Daily, Jaques explained that his experiences visiting hospital wards inspired him to focus on the personalities, energy and humour of young people living with the disease.

Rather than creating a film defined entirely by illness, he wanted to celebrate their lives beyond it.

That perspective shapes Sunny Dancer, which balances difficult emotional moments with friendship, comedy and youthful rebellion.

Where Can You Watch Sunny Dancer?

Sunny Dancer is available through digital platforms including Apple TV, Prime Video and YouTube, with rental or purchase options depending on location.

For viewers who enjoyed Norton’s performances in Happy Valley or Nowhere Special, the film offers another opportunity to see him portray a character facing an intensely personal family struggle.

But the heart of the story belongs to Bella Ramsey’s Ivy, whose journey is about much more than surviving cancer.

Warm, funny and deeply moving, Sunny Dancer is a coming-of-age film about rediscovering joy, embracing independence and learning how to move forward after life has changed forever.