Cast
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John Newton (Erik Nelson)John Newton was born in 1725 to a seafaring father and a mother who died when he was very young. Erik Nelson has been portraying John Newton in a one-man stage show for over a decade. He played John Delamotte in the 2009 film Wesley. |
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Old John Newton (John Jackman)John Newton became a pastor in the Church of England after leaving his seafaring life. He published many beloved hymns and came to be a leader in the movement to abolish the slave trade.. John Jackman, who also directs Newton's Grace, has produced and directed numerous documentaries and dramatic films. He has appeared on screen in Windsor Knot, Wesley, and Hymns of Praise. |
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Mary Catlett (Celina Tolbert)Mary Catlett ("Polly") was the young woman who captured John Newton's heart. Celina Tolbert has appeared in supporting roles in several movies, including Mandy and the Cherokee Treasure, Secrets in the Snow, and Desitiny Road, |
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Older Mary Catlett (Sara Butner)Mary Catlett ("Polly"), the young woman who captured John Newton's heart, has waited for him for years while he was away at sea -- and enslaved in Africa. Sara Butner is active in live theater in the Piedmont Triad, and is currently appearing as Ado Annie in Oklahama at the Stained Glass Playhouse in Winston-Salem, NC. She was an extra in Wesley. |
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Mary Catlett Newton (Susan L. Jones)After being rescued from slavery, John Newton returned to England and married his childhood sweetheart. Susan L Jones has extensive credits in live theatre, including the outdoor drama Trumpet in the Land, dinner theatres, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro, NC. |
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Samuel Watson (Landon Wall)A young boy in the village of Olney whose life is changed through an encounter with the elderly John Newton. Landon Wall has appeared in several films and plays, including a recent production of Waiting for Godot. |
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Peyai (Folaranmi Afolayan)Wife of the slave trader Angus Campbell, Peyai is a cruel and sadistic mistress for the captive Newton. Fomaranmi Afolayan has extensive credits in stage productions, including portraying Lady Macbeth and numerous appearances at the Paul Robeson Theatre. A graduate of the British American Drama Academy, she completed her degree in drama at NC A&T University in Greensboro, NC. Most recently, she was awarded a fellowships in 1812 Productions' Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Program, supporting the work of solo female performance artists across a variety of disciplines. |
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Mustapha (Desmond Howard)Mustapha, a member of the Bombo tribe, is chief guard at Campbell's slave trading post on Banana Island. Desmond Howard is a personal trainer and bodybuilder who has recently begun work in films. |
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Angus Campbell (J. W. Burriss)Angus Campbell was a Scottish slave trader on Banana Island, off the coats of Sierra Leone. A hard man, he thought nothing of buying Newton from Captain Phelps J. W. Burriss has extensive stage experience, and has appeared in numerous films and commercials. |
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Mrs. Catlett (Marianne Geyer)Mrs. Catlett, the mother of Newton's love Mary, was a close friend of John Newton's mother, Marianne Geyer has experience in many stage productions in Atlanta. This is her first feature film. |
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Mr. Chapman (Jim McKeny)Chapman is an honest tradesman in Olney, who feels he has been wronged by young Samuel. Jim McKeny has appeared in numerous films, including Radioland Murders and Wesley. He is currently directing a production of Philadelphia Story at Triad Stage. |
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Billy Prowse (Edison Skinner)Based on an actual historical character in Newton's life, Billy Prowse read philosophy during the many hours aboard ship, and was a great fan of the rationalist philosophers. Edison Skinner is a Canadian actor who grew up in Pictou, Nova Scotia and was a bit amazed to be asked to fly back to his hometown to appear in a movie! |
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Captain Gother (Mark Kilby)Captain of the trade ship Greyhound, Gother accepted a commission from Newton's father to find him and bring him home. Mark Kilby is a British-born actor who currently lives in Nova Scotia. |
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Captain Phelps (Spyder MacDonald)Captain of the slave ship Levant, Phelps hated Newton and actually sold him to a slave trader in Sierra Leone. John Spyder MacDonald is an accomplished Celtic musican and performer. |
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Stranger (John Meir)The mysterious stranger appears in a recurring dream that John Newton had, the "Ring Dream." John Meir has been the director of the deCoste Centre for many years, and is on the Board of Directors of the Hector Quay Society. |
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George (Michael Hotson)A sailor on the HMS Harwitch, George was one of the few that took a liking to John Newton after he was pressed into involuntary service. Michael Hotson has appeared in many local plays, and works in radio news. |
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First Mate (Don Hill)The first mate on a ship is the captain's assistant, and supervises all the sailors. Don Hill has extensive local live theatre experience, directing many shows in Nova Scotia. |
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Samuel Watson (Rob Springer)The little boy, now grown and a father himself, brings his daughter to Olney to visit the grave of the pastor who had such an impact on his life. Rob Springer has extensive feature film and television credits, including an appearance on Saturday Night Live. |
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Alexandria Watson (Rachel St. Gelais)The daughter of now-grown Samuel, she visits the grave of John Newton in Olney. Rachel St. Gelais has been appearing in films since she was a mere tyke. Recently she has had roles in Homeland, The Twilight Saga, and The Blind Side. |
