Sir Ian McKellen, the iconic LGBTQ+ actor known for roles in Lord of the Rings and X-Men, is taking on a heartfelt new role in Dragged Through Time, the directorial debut of 14-year-old queer filmmaker Jacob Franklin.
The film is set to premiere at the first-ever Windsor and Eton Pride this July, making history in more ways than one.
Dragged Through Time is produced by Notice Productions, a youth-led drama collective, and it ambitiously explores 1,000 years of LGBTQ+ history while also reflecting on what it means to live openly and queer in today’s world.
McKellen portrays Great Uncle Peter, a semi-closeted older family member based on real queer people from the 1970s and ’80s—people who were always rumored to be gay but never publicly confirmed it.
Jacob, who hails from Windsor, secured McKellen’s participation thanks to Eton College’s director of drama, Scott Handy, who had a connection to the actor.
To the team’s surprise, McKellen enthusiastically agreed to join the project, saying he was “really inspired by this” and eager to be involved.
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Despite being a veteran actor, McKellen’s collaboration with Jacob was reportedly relaxed and supportive. Jacob described the experience as “empowering but also shocking,” especially given the scale and ambition of the project, which includes original music and costumes created by the young crew.
Jacob shared with PinkNews that working on the film and being part of Windsor and Eton Pride was deeply meaningful, especially for those who don’t always feel seen. “It’s a space where people can be accepted for who they are,” he said. “It means so much that my film is going to be premiering there.”
In one touching moment captured on video, McKellen shared with Jacob that at age 14, he wished he’d had the courage to talk to his parents about his sexuality. Seeing Jacob’s openness made him reflect on how far society has come—and how important it is to keep pushing forward.
The film balances joy and sorrow, nodding to struggles like Section 28 while offering messages of resilience and hope. Jacob hopes audiences leave with “happiness and joy,” as well as an awareness that LGBTQ+ history is something to be preserved and learned from.
Dragged Through Time will premiere at Alexandra Gardens in Windsor on July 26. It’s not just a movie—it’s a movement made by queer youth, for queer futures.
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