Carla Woodcock has been announced as the lead in the shark survival thriller 'White', joining Kate Beckinsale and Katherine McNamara.
Carla Woodcock has officially been cast as the lead in the shark survival thriller 'White', alongside Kate Beckinsale and Katherine McNamara. This announcement was made exclusively by The Hollywood Reporter on September 12, 2026. Woodcock, known for her role in Starz's Outlander, will portray the character Willa Harba.
In 'White', Willa Harba is depicted as a struggling actress seeking her big break. Her journey takes a drastic turn when she travels overseas for a shoot with a self-absorbed star, leading to a catastrophic plane crash into the Pacific Ocean. Willa becomes the sole survivor, stranded on the wing of the downed aircraft. Her only means of communication is a satellite phone, which she uses to reach her unhelpful studio boss, played by Kate Beckinsale. Complicating her situation further, Willa learns from marine biologist Sam Swatek (Katherine McNamara) that she has crashed into the notorious White Shark Café, a feeding ground for great white sharks.
Jake West, known for the cult favorite Evil Aliens, directs the film. The screenplay is written by Dan Schaffer, recognized for his work on the comic book series Dogwitch. This significant collaboration suggests an engaging reimagining of the shark survival genre, poised for unique storytelling.
Highland Film Group is co-financing 'White' and has secured multiple international pre-sales at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Territories that have been sold include Germany, Italy, and Australia, indicating strong early interest in the film. By overseeing sales and financing for the project, Highland Film Group continues to solidify its presence in the film market.
'White' is produced by Yariv Lerner, Dominic Burns, Crawford Anderson-Dillon, and Sky Morfopoulos, with executive production credits going to Kate Beckinsale alongside Highland Film Group's Arianne Fraser. Beyond 'White', Highland Film Group is involved in several other projects, including the sci-fi action thriller Bluefly and the action thriller Barracuda starring Anthony Mackie.
Carla Woodcock's casting in 'White' alongside seasoned actors like Kate Beckinsale and Katherine McNamara marks a notable moment in her rising career. This development could lead to increased visibility for Woodcock, especially in the high-stakes genre of shark thrillers. With a director like Jake West at the helm, audiences can anticipate an engaging, albeit terrifying, cinematic experience while showcasing new talent in lead roles.
For more updates on 'White', tune in to EpisodeBreakdown.
Read more about other exciting projects in Hollywood by checking out our articles on Matthew Rankin’s ‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Brian Mulroney’ at TIFF and Pink’s reaction to the recent comments made by Macklemore.
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