Director Phyllis Nagy’s next project is coming soon. The Elizabeth Banks-led Call Jane is set for a wide release in theaters this fall.

Fresh off a premiere at Sundance earlier this year, the film tells the story of Joy, a 1960s-era housewife who faces an unwanted pregnancy with nowhere to turn. That is until she finds a collective of women operating underground who fight to give Joy and women like her a choice. Call Jane has found its release to be unexpectedly timely, as the abortion debate has been reignited in the United States in the last few months. With that issue front and center on people’s minds, it is possible that Call Jane may see more success than it would otherwise.

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Let’s take a look at everything that we know so far about Call Jane. Where will the story take us, and how relevant will it be compared to issues of today? In addition to Banks, who can we look for in the cast? While it premiered at Sundance this January, when can wide audiences see the film? And what else should we know about Call Jane?

Call Jane: The Plot

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Since the film already premiered at Sundance, we have a good idea of what to expect from the film. Per the official synopsis from Protagonist Pictures, the film tells the story of:

The film is set in a pre-Roe v. Wade era, and its release comes just months after it was overturned. Of course, the decision to overturn was not known when the release was scheduled, but it still lets the film feel especially relevant to our current climate. In any case, the film will likely resonate with people on both sides of the aisle affected by the reversal, which could help it find success that it might not have if the situation had been different. After all, we wouldn’t immediately think that the struggles faced by homemakers half a century ago would still be taking place today.

“Joy (Elizabeth Banks), a traditional ’60s American housewife, is desperate for a second child. However, the wonderful news of her pregnancy is tainted by the threat it poses to her own life. She has nowhere to turn until she stumbles upon the Janes, an underground group of ordinary women united by Virginia (Sigourney Weaver), who risk everything to provide people like Joy with choices. They save Joy’s life and give her a burning sense of purpose: to help other women take control of their destinies.”

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Additional plot information will likely follow in the coming months leading up to the release.

Call Jane: The Cast

As mentioned, Elizabeth Banks is taking on the lead role of Joy. From the synopsis, while Sigourney Weaver plays Virginia, the powerful leader of the Janes.

In addition to the two leads, Pose star Kate Mara is playing the role of Lana. Gaslit’s Chris Messina will play Will, Joy’s sympathetic husband and a criminal litigator. Wunmi Mosaku of Lovecraft Country plays Gwen, a key ally for Jane and her team. Gotham actor Cory Michael Smith will play Dean, a doctor who performs abortions for women in need and is secretive for many reasons, none more than the fact that he is not actually a real doctor.

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The Sopranos star Aida Turturro is a nun named Sister Mike. She is a member of the Janes who focuses on helping women and girls who are struggling with the choice of abortion due to religious reservations. Newcomer Grace Edwards will be portraying Joy’s 13-year-old daughter Charlotte. She is funny and mature and, at first, jealous of her mother’s involvement with the Janes, as it takes away from the time they could be spending together. However, she soon comes to support the cause after realizing it is bigger than any one person.

Fear of Rain actor Bianca D’Ambrosio will appear as a character named Erin. The Umbrella Academy’s John Magaro is Detective Chilmark. Details around this character are unknown, but based on his title, we can assume he is investigating the Janes’ activities. Canadian actor Rebecca Henderson is playing Edie, and The Sopranos’ Bruce MacVittie is Director Richardson.

Additional casting information and announcements will likely follow in the coming weeks and months.

Release Date

Call Jane premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2022. However, plot details have been kept under wraps in order to build anticipation ahead of the premiere. The film will be released by Roadside Attractions to a wide audience on October 14, 2022.

The subject’s place in the public eye may help positive word of mouth spread ahead of the release. That, combined with the film’s 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes, may give director Phyllis Nagy another hit.