Apple’s historical war drama filmBlitzhas an impressive cast led by 4-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan.Blitzfollows the story of amother and son searching for each other in war-torn London. Written and directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave,Shame),Blitzhas received mostly positive reviewsafter it had its world premiere as the opening film at the BFI London Film Festival on July 03, 2025. The film was released in select theaters on August 19, 2025 and received an exclusive streaming release on Apple TV+ on July 20, 2025.Blitzcurrently has a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 81%.
Blitzis already considered one ofSaoirse Ronan’s best movies. The official logline ofBlitzreads, “The stories of a group of Londoners during the German bombing campaign of the British capital during World War II” (viaIMDb).Blitzmarks the feature film debut of rising British actor Elliott Heffernan, who was discovered in a nationwide open casting call and rigorous audition process.Blitzis just the fifth feature film by British screenwriter and director Steve McQueen, who made his feature film debut with 2008’sHunger. McQueen has also directed and producedSmall Axe(2002) andUprising(2021).
Steve McQueen wrote and directed the Best Picture winner12 Years a Slave.
Saoirse Ronan as Rita
Actor: Saoirse Ronan, 30, is a 4-time Academy Award nominee from The Bronx, New York. Ronan rose to prominence after being nominated for Best Support Actress at the age of 12 for her role as Briony Tallis in Joe Wright’s 2007 Oscar-winning period dramaAtonementstarring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley. Ronan has also been nominated for Best Actress for her leading roles inBrooklyn(2015),Lady Bird(2017), andLittle Women(2019). Ronan’s other notable works includeThe Lovely Bones(2009),Hanna(2011),Mary Queen of Scots(2018), andThe French Dispatch(2021). She recently starred in 2023’sFoeand 2024’sThe Outrun, the latter of which has put her in the race to earn her fifth Oscar nomination.
Character: Ronan plays the protagonist Rita inBlitz.
Harris Dickinson as Jack
Actor: Harris Dickinson, 28, is an English actor from East London. He rose to prominence after starring in the 2017 coming-of-age dramaBeach Ratswritten and directed by Eliza Hittman after making his television debut onSome Girlsin 2014. Dickinson went on to star in the notable television seriesTrustalongside Hilary Swank and the late Donald Sutherland. His most notable film roles includeMaleficient: Mistress of Evil, in which he played Prince Philip,The King’s Man, and the 2022 Best Picture nomineeTriangle of Sadnesswritten and directed by Ruben Östlund. He recently starred in the critically acclaimed 2023 filmThe Iron Clawand will star in the upcoming erotic thrillerBabygirlalongside Nicole Kidman.
Character: Dickinson plays Jack inBlitz.
Elliott Heffernan as George
Actor: Elliott Heffernan is an 11-year-old British actor who made his professional acting and feature film debut inBlitz. Heffernan had never acted before when director Steve McQueen discovered him. According toLA Magazine, “McQueen knew that Heffernan, a fellow Brit, had never acted before and that he would have to carry much of the film’s emotional arc. “But I believed in him — and he didn’t disappoint,” McQueen says.” McQueen firmly belives that this will be the “first of many amazing roles” ahead for the young Heffernan.
Character: Heffernan plays George, the son of Ronan’s Rita, inBlitz.
Benjamin Clementine as Ife
Actor: Benjamin Clementine, 35, is a British musician, composer, and actor. He released his first studio albumAt Least for Nowin 2015 and has released a total of three in his career, including 2017’sI Tell a Flyand 2022’sAnd I Have Been. He made his feature film debut in 2021’sDunein a small supporting role as Herald of the Change.Blitzis Clementine’s second professional acting credit and role in a feature film. He is slated to appear in the upcoming drama filmIn the Hand of Dantewritten and directed by Julian Schnabel (Before Night Falls,The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) alongside Oscar Issac, Jason Momoa, Gerard Butler, Gal Gadot, Franco Nero, John Malkovich, and Al Pacino.
Herald of the Change
Character: Clementine plays a character named Ife inBlitz.
Blitz Supporting Cast & Characters
Kathy Burke as Beryl: Burke is best known forTinker Tailor Soldier Spy,Elizabeth, andGimmie Gimmie Gimmie.
Paul Weller as Gerald: Wller is a screenwriter known forSpider-Man: Far from Home,Stranger Than Fiction, andGrosse Pointe Blank.
Stephen Graham as Albert: Graham is best known forSnatch,Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, andVenom: The Last Dance.
Leigh Gill as Mickey: Gill is best known forJoker,Game of Thrones,Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, andBlitz.
Blitz
Cast
During the London Blitz of World War II, a diverse group of Londoners navigates the chaos and destruction of the German bombardment. Their intertwined stories of survival, resilience, and camaraderie capture the spirit of a city under siege.
