Kristin Hannah Spills Details on ‘The Nightingale Movie’ and the Fanning Sisters: ‘It’s All So Exciting’
Plus, details on when you can expect to see the film in theaters
Key Takeaways
- The author has shared her excitement as the long-awaited adaptation finally comes to life.
- Dakota and Elle are starring as sisters Vianne and Isabelle in their first film together.
- ‘The Nightingale’ is scheduled to hit theaters March 19, 2027, after years of delays.
In case you missed it, Kristin Hannah’s bestselling World War II novel The Nightingale is becoming a blockbuster movie, and the author has some thoughts on it. Ever since the adaptation was announced before the pandemic, Hannah has been vocal about how she really feels about her award-winning novel becoming a movie and her thoughts on the Dakota sisters starring in it. To learn what she has to say, keep scrolling!
First, what is ‘The Nightingale’ about?
The Nightingale was first published in 2015. It’s set in 1939 France and follows Vianne and Isabelle Mauriac, two sisters just trying to stay alive during World War II. For Vianne that means sending her husband off to war and letting a Nazi come live in her home with her daughter. For Isabelle, that means joining the Resistance and finding ways to help the people being targeted by the Nazis. As their paths intertwine, loyalties are tested and soon both sisters are put to the test in ways they never thought possible.
Raves one reader: “I read a lot of amazing books this year but this one broke me. This novel was everything that I wanted in a historical fiction book.”
Another called The Nightingale “sheer excellence.”
“Clearly this is a WWII saga, but at heart I felt this was a variety of love stories. Sure there was romance, but I’m talking about the love for a people, the love for a country and the love for fighting for all that is good and right,” the reader continued. “It’ll be awhile before I can pick up another emotional read because I don’t know how I’ll recover from this one! Please, even if (like me) you steer clear of historical fiction and love stories, do yourself a favor and pick this up.”
What we know so far about ‘The Nightingale’ movie
The Nightingale movie was first discussed before the COVID-19 pandemic, then it was put on holdIn 2025 it was revealed that the movie was still happening and that sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning would be starring as Vianne and Isabelle. It will be the sister’s first time starring in a movie together.
“We were about to get on a plane to Budapest right before the lockdown in March 2020. The crew was already there. But in hindsight, everything happens for a reason. It’s even better now, and we get to produce it,” Elle told Variety in December of last year. “It being a sister story—and us being sisters—is going to add a lot. We’re going in spring. I don’t fear it. I like fear. If you’re not getting nervous, that’s a problem. The book is beloved, and we want to stay true to it. We just have to do it.”
Kristin Hannah shares her thoughts on ‘The Nightingale’ movie
In March of this year the author took to social media to share that “started filming the movie TODAY! I am so excited. This has been a long journey, and I couldn’t be more excited with the team bringing this story to life. I don’t have any photos to share, but don’t worry, I will report back from the set when I get there!”
Then, a month later she posted on social media again to share even more about the project, saying it has “been a long and winding road to get to the start of filming.”
“It’s all so exciting. A lot of smart, dedicated, creative people have worked hard to get here,” Hannah added.
The author has also shown her support for the Fanning sisters praising them for their Emmy nominations in July on her social media accounts.
“So much here to post about this week. BOTH Elle and Dakota nominated for Emmys this year,” Hannah wrote. “And their first time working together on a movie is The Nightingale! WOW.”
‘The Nightingale’ movie release date
The Nightingale movie will hit theaters on Friday, March 19, 2026.
“I know what I’m doing for Spring Break 2027,” Hannah joked on social media. “Put it on your book club calendars. Share the news!”
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