The Healer brings together a talented team of actors and filmmakers dedicated to bringing this heartfelt story to the screen, from BAFTA-winning performers to emerging new voices.
SAMAriyon BAKARE
Ariyon Bakare is a celebrated British actor, writer, and director known for his powerful and nuanced performances across stage and screen. Trained at the Drama Centre London and with the Royal Shakespeare Company, he gained early recognition with a nomination for the Ian Charleson Award and became the first Black actor to lead a BBC period drama with his role as Mehuru in ‘A Respectable Trade’ (1998). He starred as Dr. Ben Kwarme in ‘Doctors’ (2001–2005) and has since appeared in major television productions including ‘His Dark Materials’, ‘Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell’, ‘Carnival Row’, ‘Doctor Who’, and ‘Karen Pirie’. His film credits include ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Jupiter Ascending’, ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’, and ‘Life’. In 2024, Bakare delivered an acclaimed performance as Morris De La Roux in the BBC drama ‘Mr Loverman’, for which he won the 2025 BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor.
JAKEJASON BUDA
Jason Buda is an emerging Irish actor who gained recognition for his role as Hunter in Andrea Arnold's 2024 film ‘Bird’. The film, a poignant coming-of-age story set in North Kent, features Buda as the older brother of Bailey (played by Nykiya Adams) and son of Bug (Barry Keoghan). ‘Bird’ premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was later showcased at the BFI London Film Festival, earning critical acclaim for its raw and empathetic storytelling. Buda's performance was noted for its authenticity, a result of Arnold's unique directing style, which involved providing actors with only partial scripts to encourage natural reactions. In addition to ‘Bird’, Buda appeared in the 2024 music video for Fontaines D.C.'s "Bug" . His early success suggests a promising future in film.
HELENCHRISTINE BOTTOMLEY
Christine Bottomley is a highly respected British actress known for her emotionally rich and nuanced performances across television, film, and theatre. A three-time winner of the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Actress, she has built a reputation for her work in both contemporary and period dramas. Her notable screen credits include The Arbor (2010), Early Doors, Domina, In the Club, and Back to Life, where she brought depth and authenticity to complex characters. With her distinctive presence and compelling range, Bottomley continues to be a standout talent in British storytelling.
MADDY JESSICA THOMPSON
Newcomer Jessica Thompson makes a heart warming debut as Maddy — a bright, resilient 13-year-old stable hand at the therapy centre. This is Jessica’s first major screen role, and her natural warmth and authenticity shine through in every scene. Maddy’s journey is one of quiet strength. She first arrived at the centre four years ago while in care, carrying the heavy weight of anxiety and low self-esteem. The horses quickly became her safe space, and with the support of Sam and the wider community at the centre, she gradually began to rebuild her confidence. Now, Maddy has grown into a cheerful and grounded young girl who radiates positivity. Wise beyond her years, she has become a beacon of hope to those around her — a reminder that healing is not only possible, but transformative. Jessica captures this transformation beautifully, bringing depth and sensitivity to the role.
WRITERTRUDY WILLIAMS
Tudy is currently studying an MA in Writing for Script and Screen at Falmouth University, this is her first short which combines her experiences of teenage mental health challenges and her knowledge of the healing power of horses. Although Trudy has been in the corporate world for a number of years, writing always remained a passion of hers. Two years ago, she embarked on a degree course to learn the skill of screenwriting and with the support of her current employer AMS, was able to turn her first screenplay into a short film. 'The Healer' was Trudy's first university assignment which started off as a creative project to pass a course module and has now snowballed into being so much more. Raising awareness of our under- resourced public health services and the growing number of young people struggling with their mental health served as the motivation behind this story. Trudy has a small portfolio of work but is currently working on a feature length version of 'The Healer'. Whilst her other work spans a number of genres; she remains committed to telling authentic purpose-led stories with real, relatable people at the heart of the narrative.
PRODUCERLEE MANCINI
Lee co-wrote and produced short film ‘Wired’ starring Amy Beth Hayes and Polly Maberley which has recently completed a successful festival run and won the audience award at Bristol Independent Film Festival and the Little Imp for Best UK Short at IndieLincs, as well as having received several 5-star reviews. Lee spent 20 years in the Middle East delivering branded content for international brands such as LG, Legoland, Starbucks and Coca Cola. As a self-shooting producer/director Lee creates branded content for global brands, and charitys and he has also produced documentaries which have won acclaim including finalist at the Smiley Charity Film Awards for ‘Include’ a documentary film about an Inclusive Choir as well as ‘HIS’, a documentary about the suicide rate amongst men.
DIRECTORWILL JEWELL
Will has written and directed for broadcasters such as the BBC, Channel 4 and The Huffington Post, including the BBC’s ‘HORRIBLE HISTORIES’ web series and the BAFTA-winning Channel 4 web drama ‘BOW STREET RUNNER’. Will wrote and directed the award-winning short thriller ‘MAN IN FEAR’ starring Luke Treadaway, Tim Healy and James Lance about conceptual artists creating accidents as works of Art. The film was selected for the New British Cinema Quarterly and was described by The Guardian as “Will Jewell’s teasing, stylish feature-in-waiting” and is currently in development as a feature. Will also directed the feature documentary ‘SOUTH COAST’ about hip hop finding an authentic voice in the UK, described by The Daily Telegraph as “joyful and laid back” and “A gem” by Clash Music Magazine. Will wrote and directed his debut feature thriller ‘CONCRETE PLANS’ in Wales in 2020 about a group of misfit builders who get ripped off renovating a farmhouse as events spin out of control, starring Amber Rose Revah, James Lance, Charley Palmer Rothwell and Steve Speirs. The film was released in the US and in the UK on Apple, Amazon, SKY and Film4 and was described by The Hollywood News as “One of the most exciting British thrillers in years”. His previous short film 'WIRED' starred Amy Beth Hayes and was about a woman who inadvertently becomes gaslit by her smarthub. The film had a successful festival run and won 'Best Director' and the audience award at Bristol Independent Film Festival and the Little Imp for Best UK Short at IndieLincs.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Phillipe Theury
Philippe is a Director of Photography based in the UK and in France. He has worked on award-winning narrative short films (Whitewater, Kid A), factual television shows (Great Paintings of the World with Andrew Marr, Food Unwrapped), documentaries (CB Radio: Life on Air, Call Me Joey), music videos and corporates. His recent short thriller ‘Wired’ has recently completed a successful festival run and winning the audience award at Bristol Independent Film Festival and the Little Imp for Best UK Short at Indie Lincs. He is French, American, and Argentine with a BA in Film Production, specializing in cinematography, and a postgraduate degree in International Law.
COMPOSER PAUL HARTNOLL
The Healer’s composer Paul is one half of Orbital, hugely recognisable as one of the leading architects of UK electronic music. The duo of brothers have a 25 year career including a now legendary Glastonbury headline performance as well as playing at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. Orbital have also worked on soundtracks for films and TV including ‘THE BEACH’, ‘EVENT HORIZON’, ‘MORTAL KOMBAT’, ‘FOOTBALL FACTORY’, ‘xXx’, ‘SPAWN’ and ‘DOCTOR WHO’. In his solo capacity Paul scored season 2 of ‘PEAKY BLINDERS’, films ‘AMERICAN ULTRA’ and ‘PUSHER’. Paul’s score for this film is influenced by 1970s folk horror films, analogue synth scores all combined with a pastoral feel and occasional acoustic guitars.
The Team
Directed by
Written by
Produced by
Executive Producers
Cinematography
Composer
Editor
Casting Director
Jake
Helen
Sam
Maddy
Nathan
Rory
Vet
Dad
Lewis
Ed
Apollo
Co-Producers
1st AD
Production Designer
Make Up Artist
Sound Recordist
Production Manager
Senior Colourist
Colourist
VFX Artist
VFX Artist
Supervising Sound Editor
Foley Editor
ADR Recording
Sound Engineer
Post Production Supervisors at Absolute
Production Assistant at Absolute
Online Editor at Absolute
Script Supervisor
Script Editor
1st AC
Will Jewell
Trudy Williams
Lee Mancini
Matthew Rodger
Steve Leach
Jo-Ann Feely
Vanessa Byrnes
Nancy Ryan
Phillipe Thuery
Paul Hartnoll
David Wigram
Ollie Gilbert
Jason Buda
Christine Bottomley
Ariyon Bakare
Jessica Thompson
Joshn Bilyard
Kevin Opuni-Ankomah
Nicky De Neumann
Adrian Pel
Sean Mullen
Edward Williams
Zeus & Sheba
Will Jewell
Phillipe Thuery
Tobias Davies
Mette Udsholt
Maireade Murphy
Pierluigi Papaiz
Caitlin Paul
Peter Oppersdorff
Marina Soro
Tommy Coulter-Liston
Annie Mitchell
Tom Joyce
Maximo Signiorini
Studio 5
Gareth Wood
Sally Heath
Tia Duff
Belinda Grew
Alis Burke
Bella Norman
Trudy Williams
William Jewell
Ryan Tiernan
2nd AC
Gaffer
Spark
Steadicam Operator
Sound Assistant
Runner
Runner
1st Unit Drone Operator
2nd Unit Drone Operator
Horse Master
Groom
Social Media Manager
Social Media Photography
Photographer
Art Assistant
Art Assistant
Transport Manager
DIT & Assistant Editor
Chaperone to Jason Buda
Catering
Graphic Design
Legal
Colour Grade by
Equipment
Surrey Film Office
Locality Limited
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Original score by
Additional music:
All those things by
Composer
Rari by
Producer
Hold On by
Composer
Accommodation by:
Claridge House, Lingfield, Surrey
Lingfield Park Marriott Hotel & Counrty Club, Lingfield, Surrey
The Whyte Harte Hotel, Bletchingley, Surrey
Thomas Wood
Mark French
Adam Collins
Luke Oliver
Jacopo Scutti
Leon Langham-Glenn
Edward Williams
Damian Kwasnik
Stuart Wareing
Nicky de Neumann
Ariella Tulett
Emma Shaw
Ella Dockery
Tom Graham
Teddy Usholt-Clayton
Bella Nash
Gavin Nash
Adriana Sabau
Rebecca Buda
Sarah Hawksworth
Tom Graham
Tony Morris – Level Law
Absolute
Panavision & Panalux
Vicki Sommerville
Emma & Sophie
Paul Hartnoll
Bad Minded featuring MainFrame
James Corke
Tkuptown , K7EVS , Professorjacs
Jonathan Wiley (RichRoe), Prod.Hal
Ren Gill
Meredith Wood
Deborah Hay
Brian & Asta Coughlan
Thank you
Katie Dockery – Viewpoint Center
Aesthetica
RSA Short Films
Louisa Rawlins
Panavision
Panalux
Nigel Payne – The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust
Claridge House – Quakers in Britain
Surrey Choices Redhill Center
Pete & Tracey Hull
Peter Jenkins
GVG Brooks (vets)
Donyngs Leisure Centre
Jock & Emma Hutchinson and Jay Hare – Horseback UK
Alice & Louis
Luarn Waller Dunn
Toby Waller
Lucy Moore
Emlyn Rees
Joanna Rees
Tom Grieves
Daisy Wesson
Ollie Gilbert
Anna Luiza Rezende Ladeia
Pierluigi Papaiz
Claire Russell
Jim Field
Gillian and Oran
RSA Short Film
Nancy Ryan
Harry Morgan
Joe Corlito