# A Matter of Time (upcoming film)
**A Matter of Time** is an upcoming supernatural romantic comedy feature film directed by Harry Bradbeer for Netflix, starring [Ben Stiller](https://www.edgepedia.org/ben-stiller), Nicholas Galitzine, and [Bella Maclean](https://www.edgepedia.org/bella-maclean). It was announced at Netflix's 2026 Upfronts presentation in New York City on May 13, 2026[1](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/ben-stiller-nicholas-galitzine-to-star-in-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time/), and began principal photography in London in July 2026[2](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/first-look-at-ben-stiller-bella-maclean-and-nicholas-galitzine-filming-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time-in-london/). Netflix has not announced an official release date; trade coverage expects a release in the latter half of 2027[3](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director | Harry Bradbeer, director of both *Enola Holmes* films for Netflix and Emmy-winning director of *Fleabag*[1](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/ben-stiller-nicholas-galitzine-to-star-in-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time/) |
| Lead cast | Ben Stiller, Nicholas Galitzine, and Bella Maclean[1](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/ben-stiller-nicholas-galitzine-to-star-in-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time/) |
| Announced | May 13, 2026, at Netflix's Upfronts presentation in New York City[4](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/streaming/new-netflix-movies-shows-2026-upfronts-announcements/) |
| Screenwriters | Justin Haythe, Madeleine George, Peter Byrne, and Academy Award winner Simon Beaufoy[5](https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65839222/) |
| Producers | Debra Hayward, Larry Mark, and Sony Pictures; Michael Dreyer executive producer[3](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/) |
| Filming | Began July 2026 in Clerkenwell, East London; ongoing through fall 2026[2](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/first-look-at-ben-stiller-bella-maclean-and-nicholas-galitzine-filming-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time-in-london/) • [6](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-movies-filming-fall-2026/) |
| Expected release | Mid-to-late 2027 per trade reporting; no official date announced[3](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/) |
## Premise
Netflix's official logline describes the film as blending high-stakes supernatural elements with romance: "An unlikely angel is sent from heaven to convince a reclusive man to give up his life for the greater good. The man agrees, only for his impending death to trigger a new lease on life, and a romance that threatens to change the course of history."[4](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/streaming/new-netflix-movies-shows-2026-upfronts-announcements/) Coverage has described the project as a supernatural romantic comedy that blends high-concept fantasy, dramedy, and romance[7](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-ben-stiller-cast-updates/). As of the summer 2026 set reports, Netflix had not confirmed which actor plays which role[2](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/first-look-at-ben-stiller-bella-maclean-and-nicholas-galitzine-filming-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time-in-london/).
## Cast
The film is led by Ben Stiller, known for *[Severance](https://www.edgepedia.org/severance-tv-series)* and *Meet the Parents*, who has worked mainly behind the camera in recent years; [Nicholas Galitzine](https://www.edgepedia.org/nicholas-galitzine), whose credits include *Purple Hearts*, *Red, White & Royal Blue*, and *The Idea of You*; and Bella Maclean, recognized by Netflix audiences as Jem in the final season of *Sex Education*[1](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/ben-stiller-nicholas-galitzine-to-star-in-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time/).
The ensemble expanded during production. In early July 2026, What's on Netflix confirmed three UK cast additions: [Emma Sidi](https://www.edgepedia.org/emma-sidi) (best known as Kate in *Starstruck*), Amy Wren (Mildrith in *The Last Kingdom*), and young actress Cecily Cleeve (*The Marvels*, *Widow Clicquot*)[3](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/). By August 2026, [Toby Jones](https://www.edgepedia.org/toby-jones) (*The Wonder*, *Detectorists*) had joined, spotted filming in [Notting Hill](https://www.edgepedia.org/notting-hill) in a white suit alongside Stiller and Galitzine, and Tanya Franks (*EastEnders*, *Pulling*) and comedian Nish Kumar (*The Mash Report*) were confirmed; Anne Reid (*The Sixth Commandment*, *Last Tango in Halifax*) was also seen on set[7](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-ben-stiller-cast-updates/). Character names for most of these additions were being kept under wraps by the streamer[3](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/).
## Production team
The screenplay was written collaboratively by Justin Haythe (*Revolutionary Road*), Madeleine George (*Only Murders in the Building*), Peter Byrne, and Academy Award winner Simon Beaufoy (*Slumdog Millionaire*, *The Full Monty*)[5](https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65839222/). The film is produced by Debra Hayward (*Les Misérables*, *Bridget Jones's Baby*), Larry Mark (*The Greatest Showman*), and [Sony Pictures](https://www.edgepedia.org/sony-pictures), with Michael Dreyer (*The Two Popes*) serving as executive producer[3](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/). Melanie Oliver (*Les Misérables*) is attached as editor and Orla Maxwell handles casting[7](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-ben-stiller-cast-updates/); the industry database Crew United lists Giles Nuttgens as director of photography[8](https://www.crew-united.com/en/A-Matter-of-Time__378598.html).
The project reaches Netflix through a specialized first-look partnership between Sony Pictures and Netflix, under which Sony offers Netflix a first look at films it develops and produces exclusively for the streaming market[1](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/ben-stiller-nicholas-galitzine-to-star-in-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time/). Crew United lists the production companies as Netflix, Firstep Production (France), and Sony Pictures Releasing, and the film's genre listing as drama and fantasy[8](https://www.crew-united.com/en/A-Matter-of-Time__378598.html).
## Production and filming
**Filming start and locations.** [Principal photography](https://www.edgepedia.org/principal-photography) commenced in July 2026 in Clerkenwell, East London, with set photos showing Stiller in a tailored blue suit near a church marked "Saint Peter's Community Centre", Galitzine in smart-casual dress, and Maclean on the surrounding cobblestone streets[2](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/first-look-at-ben-stiller-bella-maclean-and-nicholas-galitzine-filming-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time-in-london/). IMDb lists filming dates of July 3 to August 25, 2026, and filming locations in London and at Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, in the United Kingdom[9](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt42655211/locations/).
**Scenes shot across London.** Crews used multiple locations during the summer. In Camden, a dramatic scene was filmed involving a crash between a car and a London bus; a letter to Camden residents described the sequence, involving Stiller's and Galitzine's characters, as the story's "emotional climax"[7](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-ben-stiller-cast-updates/). On the canal at [Primrose Hill](https://www.edgepedia.org/primrose-hill), the crew set up a Christmas-themed restaurant barge, where Maclean filmed scenes with a young baby alongside Franks, Kumar, Reid, and Janes[7](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-ben-stiller-cast-updates/).
**Ongoing schedule.** As of September 2026 the film was still listed among Netflix productions filming in London, with the wrap date to be determined and shooting continuing through the fall[6](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-movies-filming-fall-2026/). A Production List entry in June 2026, before cameras rolled, still described the film as in development with the shoot date to be announced[10](https://www.productionlist.com/productions/week/2026-06-15).
## Release
Netflix has not announced an official release date, and during filming trade sites noted it was much too early for one[2](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/first-look-at-ben-stiller-bella-maclean-and-nicholas-galitzine-filming-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time-in-london/). What's on Netflix expects the film on Netflix sometime in the latter half of 2027, on the basis that production was still heavily underway as of July 2026[3](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/).
## Films with the same title
The title is shared with an unrelated completed 2026 science-fiction film, *Matter of Time*, directed by Jeremy Snead and starring [Sean Astin](https://www.edgepedia.org/sean-astin) as the eccentric toy shop owner Gibbs and Myles Erlick as 29-year-old aspiring video game designer Charlie Fleck, who receives a time-stopping device[11](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt27723650/). That film was distributed by ArtAffects Entertainment with a limited theatrical release on February 27, 2026, runs 1 hour 44 minutes, and carries a PG-13 rating[11](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt27723650/). The two projects have no shared cast or creative personnel.
## References
1. [Ben Stiller & Nicholas Galitzine to Star in Netflix Movie 'A Matter of Time' (What's on Netflix, May 13, 2026)](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/ben-stiller-nicholas-galitzine-to-star-in-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time/)
2. [First Look at Ben Stiller, Bella Maclean and Nicholas Galitzine Filming Netflix Movie 'A Matter of Time' in London (What's on Netflix, July 3, 2026)](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/first-look-at-ben-stiller-bella-maclean-and-nicholas-galitzine-filming-netflix-movie-a-matter-of-time-in-london/)
3. ['A Matter of Time': Netflix Movie Adds Amy Wren, Emma Sidi and Cecily Cleeve (What's on Netflix, July 3, 2026)](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-cast-additions/)
4. [Every New Netflix Show and Movie Unveiled at the 2026 Upfronts (TheWrap, May 13, 2026)](https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/streaming/new-netflix-movies-shows-2026-upfronts-announcements/)
5. [Ben Stiller, Nicholas Galitzine And Bella Maclean To Star In Netflix Pic 'A Matter Of Time' From Director Harry Bradbeer (Deadline via IMDb, May 13, 2026)](https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65839222/)
6. [What Netflix Shows and Movies Are Filming in Fall 2026? (What's on Netflix, September 10, 2026)](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/netflix-movies-filming-fall-2026/)
7. ['A Matter of Time' Netflix Movie: Toby Jones, Anne Reid, Tanya Franks, & Nish Kumar Join Cast As Filming Continues (What's on Netflix, August 11, 2026)](https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/a-matter-of-time-netflix-movie-ben-stiller-cast-updates/)
8. [A Matter of Time (WT), Crew United](https://www.crew-united.com/en/A-Matter-of-Time__378598.html)
9. [A Matter of Time – Filming & production (IMDb)](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt42655211/locations/)
10. [Production List — Week of June 15, 2026](https://www.productionlist.com/productions/week/2026-06-15)
11. [Matter of Time (2026), Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt27723650/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Science fiction and fantasy films (individual works) › Science fiction and fantasy films of the 2020s*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license