Julianna Margulies and Joanna Gleason Join Baylee Toney in Her Indie Film ‘Penny’
Julianna Margulies and Joanna Gleason Join Cast of ‘Penny’
Julianna Margulies and Joanna Gleason have been cast alongside Baylee Toney in the film Penny, an adaptation of Penny Mishkin’s memoir, Becoming the Person I Was Meant to Be. Toney will direct the feature, which is currently in production.
Set in 1970s New York City, Penny follows a 24-year-old woman, played by Toney, who comes from a wealthy yet emotionally unresponsive family. Upon learning that she is going blind due to a degenerative eye disease, she turns to psychoanalysis. Rather than seeking to reverse her condition, she aims to confront years of denial and silence. Through this journey, she reconnects with her family and begins to redefine her understanding of vision, perception, and healing.
The cast also includes Myles Clohessy, Lio Tipton, Robert Clohessy, Michael Paré, Matt Leone, and Gabby Bryan.
The screenplay was developed by Mishkin, Brendan Walsh, and Dave Niziolek, who, along with Toney, are producing the film. Mishkin serves as the executive producer, with casting managed by David Guglielmo and Emma Fleming.
“I’m truly honored to be working with this cast on Penny,” Toney stated. “The level of care, curiosity, and commitment they’re bringing to the story and material is incredibly meaningful to me. I’m truly looking forward to directing actors with such depth and experience. As a filmmaker, I want to make work that matters, and I believe this film will resonate with audiences in a lasting way.”
Mishkin shared insight into the film’s theme, stating, “Blindness is always at the top of the list of the most feared disabilities. Most people with degenerative eye diseases, when told they may go blind, say, ‘If I go blind, I won’t want to live anymore.’ I was one of them. But over time, I discovered that while blindness changed my life, it did not diminish it. I want people, especially those newly facing disability, to understand that life with a disability can still be full, rich, and meaningful. Through this film, I hope to reach the widest possible audience with one simple but powerful truth: Adversity may change your life, but it does not have to diminish it or limit your joy.”
Margulies, known for her roles in The Morning Show, ER, and The Good Wife, has recently appeared in the third season of Apple TV’s The Morning Show and is set to feature in the family drama Millers in Marriage. Gleason, a Tony Award winner, is recognized for her performances in films such as Hannah and Her Sisters and on television in shows like The West Wing and Blue Bloods.
Toney, in addition to her role in Penny, has directed and starred in the upcoming Western feature Timber Lands, alongside Wes Studi, and appears in the biopic Medora: Empress of the Badlands.
The film aims to shed light on the experience of living with a disability, bringing a message of resilience and hope to audiences.
