Details of a new romantic comedy, Otherwise Engaged, starring a couple of Oscar winners have been announced – here is all we know about it.
Romantic comedies have been a staple in Hollywood for decades, and a newly announced entrant is set to continue that.
Deadline broke the news of Otherwise Engaged, and it is already generating interest, as it has a stacked cast including two Oscar winners and a first-time director who is well respected within Hollywood and who has huge experience in the rom-com genre.
Here is all we know about Otherwise Engaged.
What is the plot of Otherwise Engaged?
A brief synopsis of the movie has been released. It tells the story of Charlie, who is ready to marry the love of his life, Gabby. However, Charlie’s plans are thrown into chaos when his estranged father, a fallen business tycoon, is released from prison and shows up on their doorstep. Matters are further complicated when the father quickly falls for Gabby’s fiercely independent mother. Their unlikely romance blossoms and threatens to turn Charlie and Gabby’s dream wedding into their worst nightmare.”
Who is starring in Otherwise Engaged?
As mentioned, the main cast of Otherwise Engaged is stacked with talent.
Playing Charlie is English actor and comedian Jack Whitehall. Jack is making a reputation for himself in the US as an actor, having been a successful stand-up comedian and TV actor in his native England for many years. Jack’s first US breakthrough as Uncle Casey in Clifford the Big Red Dog in 2021. He has more recently appeared in Malice as Adam Healey and as Rob Fisher in the TV reimagining of The ‘Burbs.
Zoe Kravitz, who plays Gabby, is a rising Hollywood star, having most memorably played Catwoman/Selina Kyle in 2022’s The Batman. In 2025, she starred as Yvonne in comedy crime thriller Caught Stealing. She’s also engaged to Harry Styles.
Colin Firth plays Charlie’s dad. He is known for a variety of roles, including King George VI in the historical drama The King’s Speech, for which he won the Oscar for Best Actor. He was also Mr Darcy in the BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice in 1995, before playing Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones movie franchise from 2001-25. He was also in both Mama Mia! Movies.
Halle Berry is the other Oscar winner in the cast, playing Gabby’s mother. Halle won her Oscar in 2001 for her performance in Monster’s Ball. She has also starred in the X-Men series of movies from 2000-14, and was in John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum.
Who is writing and directing Otherwise Engaged?
Suzanne Farwell is directing Otherwise Engaged, as well as co-writing the script with Gabriel Mizrahi.
This is Suzanne’s directorial debut, but she is hugely experienced, having produced some big rom-coms over the years, including Something’s Gotta Give (2003), The Holiday (2006) and It’s Complicated (2009).
Suzanne has put out a statement (via The Playlist) saying: “I am passionate about making films that make us laugh out loud while taking us on a deep and meaningful emotional journey. Having spent much of my career helping bring sophisticated relationship comedies to the screen, I couldn’t be more excited to bring my love for this genre to ‘Otherwise Engaged’. I’m thrilled to be working with such an extraordinary cast and creative team to bring it to life.”
When can we watch Otherwise Engaged?
No release date has yet been confirmed. Production is not scheduled to start until March of next year in New York, so given filming will take a few months, then there is editing and post-production to consider, then it is likely it will be out sometime in late 2027 or early 2028.
