at the Hamptons International Film Festival’s Sloan Screenplay Readings

Although he’s a brilliant scientist, Newton is clueless when it comes to women. He’s socially awkward, but his confidence comes to the fore when he speaks about mathematics and physics.

Although born of royalty, Sophia wants nothing more than to be a scientist. However, because of her gender, she is not allowed membership in the Berlin Academy of Science. She decides to try her luck with the Royal Society, England’s brotherhood of scientists. She heads to London disguised as a man.

Halley is a foil to Newton. Where Newton is awkward and average in looks, Halley is dashing and handsome. While not as brilliant as Newton, he is one of only a handful of people who understands how Newton’s fluxions (i.e., calculus) actually works. He is also a spy for the British crown.

Leibniz is the president of the Berlin Academy of Science. He’s a scientist, diplomat, and philosopher. Although open-minded, he can’t bring himself to offer Sophia membership to the all-male Academy. He is also Sophia’s lover.

Hooke is the Curator of Experiments for the Royal Society and Resident Know-It-All. He got to his position at the Society by laying claim to other people’s ideas, including Huygens’.  He has a high opinion of himself and a low opinion of others. He is the King’s personal spy and Halley’s handler.

Huygens is Sophia’s childhood tutor and father figure. He accompanies her to London to guide her in her quest to join the Royal Society and to keep her out of trouble. He is a rival of the unscrupulous Hooke.

Wren is a founding member and President of the Royal Society. He’s a grandfatherly figure and settles disputes with diplomacy.