'Doing a Movie Together for the First Time'- Elle & Dakota Fanning to Play Sisters in Kristin Hannah’s ‘The Nightingale'

Published 03/15/2026, 3:44 AM EDT

The Fanning sisters have been a charismatic force in Hollywood for a decade, earning critical acclaim and their exquisite filmography since they were toddlers. They have, in turn, grown up together under the brightest and most elite lights of showbiz. However, Elle Fanning and Dakota Fanning seldom appeared together in a movie throughout their career.

The sisters paved their professional paths, which resembled twinning success, yet never collided into an explosive cinematic brilliance. They now unite through a narrative that defines sisterhood as its central theme.

Making their on-screen sisterhood debut, the Fanning sisters are bringing Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale to life in a poetic full-circle moment.

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Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning on working together on screen for the first time

The Fanning sisters are set to appear together on screen for their first time in the historical drama The Nightingale. In an SXSW interview clip presented by Deadline, Dakota Fanning fawned over doing the WWII drama together with her sister Elle Fanning, revealing that the filming is going to take place in Europe soon.

"My sister and I are going to do a movie together for the first time and we're super excited," Dakota Fanning told Deadline.

The duo's long-awaited project marks a major milestone for the pair, who previously shared the same character through different ages in the 2001 film I Am Sam, but never appeared together in a scene. But now the wait is finally over as Elle Fanning revealed to the outlet that the filming will begin in a couple of weeks.

"We'll be finally getting to do that together, she produced this as well, with me, with our company," said the Oscar-nominee with pride, gushing over uniting with her sister professionally. 

The film, directed by Michael Morris, will start shooting soon, and its theatrical release has been confirmed on February 12, 2027, exclusively in cinemas in the US and UK. Bringing their sisterly bond into a war-torn historical drama, the adaptation has skyrocketed anticipation not only for its plot but also for the sisters' iterations of the unique characters.

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The rarity of this event can only make one more curious about what roles Dakota and Elle Fanning are taking on together. 

All about the Fanning sisters' roles in The Nightingale

In the film, Sentimental Value star, Elle Fanning plays Isabelle, a rebellious young woman who joins the French Resistance during World War II. Dakota Fanning portrays her older sister Vianne, a schoolteacher and mother, trying to protect her child amid the growing dangers of Nazi-occupied France. The emotional wartime drama follows the sisters’ diverging choices as they struggle to survive, resist oppression, and ultimately rediscover the strength of their bond.

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Beyond its gripping narrative, The Nightingale carries an added layer of professional collaboration for the sisters. They not only share screen together for the first time but also serve as joint producers through their company Lewellen Pictures, bringing another deeply personal touch to the project.

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Are you excited to watch The Nightingale? Let us know in the comments.

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Ipshita Chakraborty

695 articles

Ipshita Chakraborty is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie. Offering thoughtful and compelling storytelling, they cover everything Hollywood and trending, from the latest streaming sensations to behind-the-scenes buzz. With about 7 years of writing experience for online media, Ipshita brings their voice to the coverage through industry analysis and cultural critique, a strength evident in prior work, such as their views on why the Michaela gender swap was needed in Bridgerton.

Edited By: Adiba Nizami

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