Billie Eilish may soon add a brand-new title to her already impressive résumé: film actress.
The 24-year-old Grammy-winning artist is reportedly in advanced discussions to star in a new film adaptation of The Bell Jar, according to Deadline.
If finalized, the project would mark Eilish’s first professional acting role in a feature film, signaling an intriguing next chapter for one of music’s most influential voices.
The film will be directed by Sarah Polley, the acclaimed writer-director behind the Oscar-winning film Women Talking. Polley will also write the screenplay for the adaptation.
First published in 1963, The Bell Jar remains one of the most widely discussed novels in modern literature. Written by legendary poet Sylvia Plath, the book offers an intimate and haunting exploration of mental health, identity, and societal expectations.
The story centers on Esther Greenwood, a young woman navigating the pressures of ambition, career expectations, and cultural norms during the 1950s.
As described in the novel’s synopsis:
“The story chronicles the breakdown of Esther Greenwood, a bright, beautiful, enormously talented college student coming of age in 1950s America, as she navigates the pressures of society along with her own ambitions. While at a prestigious, competitively won position at a New York City magazine one summer, Esther finds herself struggling with the looming expectations of marriage, motherhood, and giving up on her dreams to achieve them. She becomes increasingly disillusioned and her mental health deteriorates, ultimately leading her to undergo harsh treatment and therapy.”
For decades, filmmakers have attempted to bring the novel to the screen.
Several high-profile actresses have been attached to past versions of the project, including Julia Stiles, Kirsten Dunst, and Dakota Fanning.
However, many of those attempts ultimately stalled during development.
Now, with Polley attached to direct and Eilish potentially stepping into the lead role, the project appears closer than ever to becoming a reality.
The casting would also mark an intriguing creative pivot for Eilish.
Although she has dominated the music world for years — winning multiple Grammys and an Academy Award for her James Bond theme “No Time to Die” — Eilish has largely stayed within the realm of music, visual storytelling, and performance-based projects.
Her artistic sensibilities, however, have often leaned toward cinematic themes. From moody music videos to atmospheric stage design, Eilish has consistently demonstrated a deep interest in visual storytelling.
