In a clear sign of Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan’s rising star, high-profile cast are flocking to his first English-language film, The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.

Following the pre-AFM announcement that Seville International had acquired international sales rights to the film, and that eOne and Les Film Seville would distribute domestically, this week saw the addition of several new cast members to its already-stacked roster.

Earlier this week, it was announced Taylor Kitsch had joined the cast, and this week another Canadian, Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), is confirmed as on board. She joins the Donovan cast alongside teen favourite Bella Thorne (The Duff) and Chris Zylka (The Leftovers) and Irish actor Michael Gambon. The actors join an ensemble cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kit Harington, Susan Sarandon and Kathy Bates.

Seville International’s Anick Poirier, VP of international sales, says the company is “thrilled to see how it’s all coming together” after the AFM announcement.

“The response has been extremely strong and we are looking forward to sharing more great news on the project over the coming while.”

John F. Donovan is produced by Lyla Films’ Lyse Fontaine, Dolan and Nancy Grant; it is written and directed by Dolan and Jacob Tierney.

Photo: Emily Hampshire / Image via Shutterstock

Correction: Updated at 12:00 p.m.: The original version of this article omitted Jacob Tierney from the film’s writing credits.