Content

The Last Drive is a dark contemporary drama following a close-knit group of young friends whose lives are permanently changed after a late-night car journey ends in tragedy.

Mia, 21, is driving four of her friends home when her car suffers a sudden brake failure. Despite attempting to bring the vehicle under control, the resulting crash kills one of the passengers.

The film takes place predominantly in the weeks and months after the accident, following Mia as she struggles with survivor’s guilt, the breakdown of relationships within the friendship group, a police investigation into the crash, and increasingly difficult encounters with the family of the friend who died.

Although the accident is an important early sequence, this is primarily a character-led psychological drama exploring grief, blame, friendship and the difference between being responsible for something and feeling responsible for it.

The project contains emotionally demanding material including bereavement, grief, arguments and the aftermath of a fatal road traffic collision.

Driving scenes will be filmed under controlled conditions. No dangerous driving, deliberate brake failure or unsafe stunt driving will be required from performers. Crash material will be achieved through controlled filming, editing and appropriate production techniques.

Dates

November 2026, Expected filming commitment for the lead role: approximately 3-4 shoot days.

Roles

Roles Details

Title

Maddison — Lead

Content

Mia is 21 and the central character of The Last Drive.

Normally confident, quick-witted and dependable, Mia is the person within her friendship group who tends to take responsibility for everyone else. At the beginning of the film, she is driving four close friends home following a night out when her car suddenly develops a serious braking fault. Unable to stop the vehicle normally, Mia attempts to control the car before it leaves the road and crashes. One of her friends is killed.

The majority of the role takes place following the accident and requires a nuanced dramatic performance as Mia deals with grief, survivor’s guilt and the knowledge that, although the subsequent investigation finds that the mechanical failure was not her fault, some of the people closest to her struggle to separate Mia from what happened.

Her relationships with the three surviving passengers develop in very different ways: one remains fiercely supportive, another becomes distant and traumatised, while another begins openly questioning whether Mia could have prevented the accident. Mia must also confront the parents of the friend who died, as well as her own increasingly concerned family.

This is a substantial lead role with significant dialogue and several emotionally demanding scenes.

Applicants should be comfortable portraying intense emotional material including shock, grief, guilt, anger and panic.

Driving requirement: Applicants should hold a valid driving licence and be comfortable driving on camera. The role includes several scenes filmed inside and around a car, including close coverage of Mia operating the vehicle such as steering, gear changes and pedal use. Any driving will take place under controlled production conditions. The performer will not be asked to drive a genuinely faulty vehicle, deliberately lose control of a car or perform dangerous stunts.

Naturalistic acting is strongly preferred. We are looking for someone who can make Mia feel like an ordinary 21-year-old rather than playing the role as a conventional thriller/action protagonist.

Salary

£1,500 total fee for the lead role, covering up to 3 filming days (£500 per shoot day). This is a fully paid role. Reasonable travel expenses will be covered, and meals and refreshments will be provided during filming. Any additional filming days, pickups or separately scheduled filming beyond the agreed three-day commitment will be discussed with the performer in advance and paid additionally. Payment will be made promptly following completion of the agreed filming days.

Gender

Female Only

Age

18 - 24