Adele is making her movie acting debut — and she will not sing a single note in it.
The news was reported by The Times on 6 November 2026. Adele stars in Cry to Heaven, the third film from fashion designer-turned-director Tom Ford, after A Single Man and Nocturnal Animals. She chose acting only, turning down music-related film roles as “too obvious” and saying she hates musicals.
The film is an adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1982 novel, set in the opera world of 18th-century Italy. It stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a peasant-born castrato and Nicholas Hoult as a Venetian nobleman’s son, alongside Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Paul Bettany, Thandiwe Newton, Mark Strong, Ciarán Hinds and Owen Cooper from Adolescence. Adele’s exact character has not been confirmed, though she is rumoured to play a mother.
Filming began in January 2026 and has now wrapped, with the film expected to arrive in 2027. It is a striking career move for one of the biggest voices in music — she has not sung in public since 2024, after her Munich residency and her two-year Las Vegas residency ended in November 2024.
Adele has said she has no plans for new music at all, and her management has denied reports of recording sessions with producer Paul Epworth. Her only previous acting credit was a 2009 cameo as herself in Ugly Betty — though she does hold an Oscar, for the song “Skyfall”.
The decision to act without singing is a bold one, and it will be fascinating to see what she does with it. Tom Ford’s films are known for their visual beauty and emotional intensity, and Adele stepping into that world — voice deliberately left at the door — is one of the most intriguing casting stories of the year.
It has been a week of celebrations in entertainment, from the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year 2026 awards to the Soul Train Awards 2026 honouring Chaka Khan. Cry to Heaven is expected in 2027.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.