Aaron Johnson joins Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs

Mia Wasikowska

Aaron Johnson and Mia Wasikowska have both joined Glenn Close in the movie adaptation of Albert Nobbs.

The two young stars replace previous actors Orlando Bloom and Amanda Seyfried, who were originally signed for the film. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is also set to star.

Based on the George Moore short story, Albert Nobbs follows a 19th century woman who escapes poverty by disguising herself as a man and working as ‘Albert’, a shy hotel butler.

'Albert' resolves to break free of her mournful existence when a handsome painter arrives at the hotel, and enlists young maid Helen (Wasikowska) to help her. Except Helen’s pining after someone, herself – new handyman Joe (Johnson).

The book’s been described as Gosford Park meets Boys Don’t Cry, which is a bit obvious, but intriguing nonetheless - especially considering that cast. Close won an Obie award back in 1982 for playing 'Albert' off-Broadway, which bodes very well indeed.

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.