James Norton’s Emotional New Drama Sunny Dancer Is Being Praised as His Best Since Happy Valley — And It’s Available to Watch at Home
James Norton has taken on one of his most heartfelt roles since Happy Valley, starring alongside Bella Ramsey and Jessica Gunning in the moving British drama Sunny Dancer. Blending humour, heartbreak and the challenges of growing up, the 2026 film tells the story of a teenage cancer survivor whose unwanted summer trip becomes an unexpected journey towards independence.
Written and directed by George Jaques, the coming-of-age film also stars Neil Patrick Harris and features a surprise cameo from singer James Blunt.
A Summer Camp That Changes Everything
Bella Ramsey plays Ivy, a 17-year-old who has recently entered remission following cancer treatment.
After everything she has endured, Ivy wants nothing more than an ordinary summer with her friends.
However, her father Bob, played by Norton, arranges for her to spend four weeks at a cancer camp in the Scottish countryside.
Ivy initially resents the decision, particularly the idea of spending her summer surrounded by other young people who have faced serious illness.
Her arrival is far from smooth, especially when she clashes with camp president Patrick, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris.
But as the weeks unfold, Ivy begins forming friendships, embracing new experiences and discovering the freedom she has been missing.
What begins as an unwanted trip gradually becomes a chance to reclaim parts of her teenage life.
James Norton and Jessica Gunning Deliver Moving Performances
Although Ramsey leads the story, Norton brings emotional complexity to his role as Ivy’s father.
Bob has experienced the fear of potentially losing his daughter and now struggles to balance protecting her with allowing her to live independently.
Jessica Gunning, recognised for her performance in Baby Reindeer, plays Ivy’s mother, Karen.
Speaking to Heart Radio, Norton explained that the parents appear at the beginning and end of the film, while the central story follows Ivy’s experiences at camp.
He also described Sunny Dancer as a film capable of making audiences both laugh and cry.
The supporting cast includes Daniel Quinn-Toye, Ruby Stokes, Earl Cave, Conrad Khan and Louis Gaunt.
The Personal Inspiration Behind Sunny Dancer
The film marks another achievement for young filmmaker George Jaques, who was just 25 when Sunny Dancer premiered at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival in 2026.
Its story was partly inspired by his mother’s experience with cancer.
Jaques previously explained that visits to hospital wards helped shape his desire to portray young people affected by serious illness as more than their diagnoses.
Rather than focusing entirely on suffering, he wanted to capture their humour, friendships, personalities and determination to enjoy life.
That approach gives Sunny Dancer its distinctive balance of emotional drama and youthful comedy.
The film explores the lasting effects of illness while celebrating the importance of friendship and ordinary teenage experiences.
Where to Watch Sunny Dancer
Sunny Dancer is listed on digital platforms including Apple TV, Prime Video and YouTube, with rental and purchase availability depending on the viewer’s location.
For fans of Norton’s work in Happy Valley and Nowhere Special, the film offers another opportunity to see him portray a character confronting difficult family emotions.
However, the central performance belongs to Bella Ramsey, whose character must learn to embrace life beyond her experience of cancer.
With its talented British cast, deeply personal inspiration and mixture of laughter and heartbreak, Sunny Dancer offers a touching reminder that growing up is about more than surviving difficult experiences — it’s also about finding the courage to enjoy life again.