Full Breakdown
Millicent Simmonds Co-Writes and Stars in “Grace,” Inevitable Studios’ Debut Crime Thriller
6/17/2026, 2:54:01 AM
Inaugural Feature: “Grace” Centers a Deaf Teen’s Search for Family Truths
Deaf actress Millicent Simmonds will co-write and headline “Grace,” a crime thriller about a deaf teenager uncovering violent family secrets. The film marks Inevitable Studios’ first feature.
Inevitable Studios’ Vision for Disabled-Centric Commercial Cinema
Founded by Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel and Torelli-Pedevska, the studio seeks commercially viable stories that place disabled characters at the center, delivering “unique, unexpected and subversive” narratives.
Creative Team: Simmonds, Costa, Celeboglu, and Producers
Writers-directors Ari Costa and Eren Celeboglu lead the project; producers include Richie Siegel, Torelli-Pedevska, Clarence Hammond, Olivia Handrahan, with Simmonds, Costa and Celeboglu also producing.
Development Timeline
Development began three years ago, the partnership was announced early 2024, principal photography is slated for early 2027, with post-production and a 2028 release planned.
Talent and Production Details
Lead talent is Millicent Simmonds, a BAFTA Rising Star nominee. Directors Costa (AGBO SVP, former “Avengers” producer) and Celeboglu (ex-writer for “Scrubs”) helm the film. Production team includes Siegel, Torelli-Pedevska, Hammond, Handrahan. Inevitable Studios operates as a nonprofit division of Inevitable Foundation.
Significance: Representation Meets Market Appeal
Grace blends genre thrills with authentic disabled representation, placing a deaf protagonist at the core while targeting broad commercial audiences to demonstrate market demand.
Studio’s Public Position
Inevitable Studios officials say Grace exemplifies their aim to produce commercial films that foreground disabled characters, noting Costa’s franchise experience as a strategic advantage.
Consistency and Unknowns
All sources agree on premise, timeline, and personnel, but the co-founder’s name appears as Marissa Torelli-Pedevska in one source and Marisa Torelli-Pedevska in another. Budget and distribution details remain undisclosed.
Direct Voices
“Grace is exactly the kind of film we started Inevitable Studios to make. It’s a commercial story first that happens to center a deaf protagonist. We’re incredibly proud to be bringing this project to life with Millicent, Ari, and Eren and can’t wait for people to see it.” — Richie Siegel & Marisa Torelli-Pedevska, Inevitable Studios
“A Quiet Place” and “Pretty Lethal” actress Millicent Simmonds is set to co-write and star in the crime thriller, “Grace,” which marks the first film from Inevitable Foundation’s Inevitable Studios. — Deadline
“Grace” comes from writer-director duo Ari Costa and Eren Celeboglu. — Variety
“Inevitable Studios — the production banner led by Inevitable Foundation co-founders Richie Siegel & Marisa Torelli-Pedevska — is focused on crafting commercial film and television stories told through a ‘unique, unexpected and subversive’ disability lens.” — Variety
Upcoming Milestones
Casting continues through late 2026; principal photography begins early 2027, followed by post-production and a projected 2028 release.
