“Out of My Mind”

The upcoming Disney+ movie is based on the Sharon Draper novel of the same name, and stars newcomer Phoebe-Ray Taylor as Melody Brooks, a girl with cerebral palsey.

Melody has a quick wit and a sharp mind, but due to her being non-verbal and using a wheelchair, she is not given the same academic opportunities as her classmates. However, when Katherine, a young educator notices her student’s untapped potential, she encourages Melody to participate in mainstream education, where greater successes – and challenges – await.

Also starring are Rosemarie DeWitt (pictured here left) as Diane, Melody’s mother and fiercest advocate; Luke Kirby (pictured center) plays her supportive father, Chuck; Judith Light as “Mrs. V.,” the Brooks’ eccentric but caring neighbor who, though her style may be unconventional, always looks out for Melody; Courtney Taylor as Katherine, a post-doctoral candidate and educator; and Michael Chernus as Mr. Dimming, Melody’s teacher and coach of her school’s trivia team.

Directed by Amber Sealey, production is currently underway in Toronto.