A fresh set of images capture a forbidden love deep within a sect of the Mormon fundamentalist religion inLouisa Connolly-Burnham’squeer romantic drama,Sister Wives. Starring alongside her fellowVampire AcademyalumMia McKenna Bruce, Connolly-Burnham also penned the short film. Joining the pair isDownton Abbey’sMichael Foxas the man at the head of the plural marriage.
InSister Wives, Galilee (McKenna-Bruce) and Kaidence (Connolly-Burnham) are two womentied fast to the Fundamentalist Mormon faithwho find their lives forever changed after they become sister wives in a polygamous marriage to their shared husband, Jeremiah (Fox). As the days pass, and they spend more and more time together under the same roof, caring for their husband, romantic feelings begin to develop.Harboring a strange and unwanted feeling, the women have no choice but to face their emotions head-on, but must be careful about doing so, as they’re under the constant watchful eye of the rest of their community. Pushed to the brink and not knowing what to do, the sister wives find comfort in one another and contemplate leaving their world behind and starting life anew somewhere where they would be welcomed with open arms.
The images set the tone for the love story, with Kaidence and Galilee’s tight-knit bond obvious in every shot. Wearing frilly, but modest dresses and long hair, braided in the back, the women’s costumes represent the Fundamentalist Mormon religion thatwe’ve seen in other inside projects like Netflix’sKeep Sweet: Pray and Obey. While most of the pictures focus on intimate moments between the two women — from brushing each other’s hair to cooking dinner together — there are a few shots that capture their husband. Jeremiah can be seen lounging in bed with Kaidence in one of the shots, while the other depicts the two women wrapping their arms around the family patriarch.
Louisa Connolly-Burnham’s Blossoming Career
Building a fast-rising career both in front of and behind the camera, Connolly-Burnham first made waves through the Nickelodeon seriesHouse of Anubisand CBBC’sWolfblood. Like McKenna-Bruce, the director and actress has also held down a prominent role inPeacock’s short-lived series,Vampire Academy. As far as filmmaking is concerned, prior to her work onSister Wives, Connolly-Burnham made her directorial debut with 2020sTheCall Centre. Already gaining buzz, the project has made its way along the festival circuit, nabbing a win at the Sunday Shorts Script Competition and First Flights x Kodak x Goldfinch Film Fund.
As of right now, no further details surrounding the arrival ofSister Wiveshave been revealed, but you can get a first look at the images above. In the meantime, catch both Connolly-Burnham and McKenna-Bruce in Peacock’sVampire Academy.
