Actress Midori Francis, who played Dr. Mika Yasuda in Grey’s Anatomy, has landed a new role in a horror movie called Saccharine. The film is written and directed by Natalie Erika James, who is known for movies like Relic and Apartment 7A.
In Saccharine, Francis will play Hana, a medical student who is looking for love. She becomes haunted by a ghost after trying a strange weight-loss method that involves eating human ashes. The movie mixes scary moments with themes about body image and feeling good about yourself.
The movie also stars Danielle Macdonald known for Patti Cake$ and Madeleine Madden known for The Wheel of Time. Macdonald will play Hana’s best friend, and Madden will play a fitness instructor.
Director Natalie Erika James explained the movie’s message. She said, “There is a lot of pressure about weight and how we look in our culture. Saccharine is about a woman dealing with how she sees herself, told through a scary story with some strange and supernatural elements.”
Producers Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw also shared their excitement about the project, saying, “We are so happy to work with Natalie again. We can’t wait to see Midori, Danielle, and Madeleine bring their characters to life.”
The film is being produced by Carver Films and Thrum Films, and XYZ Films will handle the movie’s release worldwide. Filming has already started in Melbourne, Australia, but there is no release date yet.
This new role comes after Francis left Grey’s Anatomy earlier this year. She appeared in Seasons 19, 20, and 21 of the show. Francis decided to leave to explore other acting opportunities.
Saccharine does not have a release date yet.