This year sees the release of one of Ralph Fiennes’ most highly anticipated works, The Invisible Woman, based on the dramatic and secretive personal life of Charles Dickens. The film sees Dickens (Fiennes) at a high point in his career, when he meets and falls in love with 19-year-old actress Nelly Ternan.

The Invisible Woman Still
The film offers a new perspective on Dickens, but could it prove too melodramatic to be realistic?

Unfortunately for both of them, Dickens has already been married to Catherine Thompson for more than two decades and the affair might jeopardize his career, as well as both his and Nelly’s reputation. The author decides to keep the affair a secret, and struggles to balance two separate sides of his life, while taking frequent trips to visit his young lover. Meanwhile, Nelly’s mother, Frances, played by the ever brilliant Kristin Scott Thomas, is concerned about what the elicit affair might mean for her daughter’s future. The movie, which is only the latest in a wave of historical and biographical adaptations, reveals a side of Dickens rarely seen by the public.

Watch the trailer for The Invisible Woman below.

The film is based on Claire Tomalin's 1991 book 'The Invisible Woman: The story of Nelly Ternan and Charles Dickens'. The book was later turned into a play by Simon Gray entitled 'Little Nell'. The production team boasts some impressive names, like screenwriter Abi Morgan ('The Hour', 'The Iron Lady', 'Shame'). The emotionally charged historical flick is due to hit UK cinemas in a few months, on February 7th 2014.