Mandeep Dhillon is set to lead a new short film she wrote herself, titled "The Things I Want to Do to You," with Golda Rosheuvel and Scott Karim also on board to star. The project marks another step in an expanding career for Dhillon, who has drawn wide attention for her work on "MobLand."
The short pairs Dhillon with a cast whose profiles have risen sharply in recent years. Rosheuvel is best known to international audiences for her portrayal of Queen Charlotte in the "Bridgerton" franchise, a role that turned her into one of the most recognizable British performers of the streaming era. Karim, meanwhile, has built a steady reputation across stage and screen, with credits that span prestige television and London theater. Bringing the three together in a single short gives the project an unusual concentration of talent for the format.
That Dhillon wrote the script as well as starring in it is notable in itself. Actors who move into writing often do so quietly, using the short form as a testing ground before pursuing longer projects, and a self-penned vehicle allows a performer to shape material around her own instincts rather than waiting for the right script to arrive. For Dhillon, the film represents a chance to extend her range beyond the roles that have defined her public image so far.
A Career Built Across Screens
Dhillon's profile has grown steadily through a run of television and film appearances that have kept her working on both sides of the Atlantic. She has been a familiar presence in British comedy and drama, and her recent work on "MobLand" has introduced her to a broader international viewership. That show's ensemble format has given several of its cast members renewed visibility, and Dhillon appears to be capitalizing on the moment by launching a project of her own making.
The short film format has become an increasingly common route for established performers seeking creative control. Freed from the commercial pressures of a feature, shorts allow actors and writers to work quickly, take risks, and collaborate with people they admire. Pairing Dhillon with Rosheuvel and Karim suggests a project driven by relationships and shared interest rather than by market calculation.
Details about the film's story, production timeline, and distribution have not been disclosed. No release plans have been announced, and it is not yet clear whether the short will pursue a festival premiere or another route to audiences. Those decisions typically come later in the process, particularly for independent projects operating outside the studio system.
What the Casting Signals
For Rosheuvel, the role continues a busy period in which she has balanced the demands of a global franchise with smaller, more personal projects. Her involvement lends the short a measure of prestige and guarantees attention from the many viewers who have followed her work in recent years. Karim's participation adds further weight, and his background in theater suggests the film may lean on performance-driven material.
The title, "The Things I Want to Do to You," is evocative without revealing much about the film's tone or subject. Shorts with provocative titles often turn out to be intimate character studies, and the presence of three strong performers hints at a dialogue-heavy piece built around confrontation or confession. Without confirmation of a plot, though, any reading of the title remains speculative.
What is clear is that Dhillon is not waiting for permission to expand her creative footprint. Writing her own material and assembling a cast of this caliber is the kind of move that often precedes a larger shift in a performer's career, whether toward more writing, producing, or simply a wider choice of roles. Whether the short becomes a calling card for a future feature or remains a standalone piece, it signals intent.
The project also reflects a broader pattern in the industry, in which actors with established screen careers increasingly develop their own material rather than relying solely on the traditional audition circuit. Streaming platforms and festival circuits have made it easier for shorts to find audiences, and a well-received short can open doors that a supporting role in a series cannot.
For now, "The Things I Want to Do to You" remains early in its public life, with the core facts confirmed and most specifics still under wraps. Audiences will have to wait for further word on when and where they can see Dhillon, Rosheuvel, and Karim share the screen. Given the names involved, interest is likely to follow the project wherever it lands.
Source: Variety