EXCLUSIVE: Alexander Ludwig, the actor known for his work in projects like Vikings, The Hunger Games, and Heels, has stepped behind the camera on Billings, an indie healthcare drama marking his directorial debut, where he stars alongside Carla Gugino (The Adventures of Cliff Booth), Grace Beedie (Zero Chill), Taylor Hickson (Deadpool), and James Jordan (Yellowstone).

Developed and produced by Enderby Entertainment, as part of its Enderby Impact slate, Billings centers on a young girl (Beedie) battling cystic fibrosis whose fragile stability is shattered when her access to healthcare and life-sustaining medication is suddenly cut off. With the clock ticking and survival on the line, her brother Easton (Ludwig) is forced to confront a broken system — and ultimately take matters into their own hands by robbing pharmacies to obtain the medicines to keep his sister alive, underscoring the sad and unforgiving realities of modern American healthcare.

Ludwig co-wrote the script alongside Hunter Maats. Rick Dugdale of Enderby Entertainment (Intrigo, An Ordinary Man), Sharlene Ludwig, and Stephanie Simon are producing, with Preston Cook co-producing.

In a statement to Deadline, Ludwig shared, “This story hit me hard because it’s not fiction for so many families — it’s reality. Billings isn’t just a film, it’s a conversation we need to have — it can move people to action.”

Producer Rick Dugdale called the film “exactly the kind of story the Enderby Impact slate was built for — deeply human, emotionally gripping, and rooted in a crisis that affects millions of families.”

Dugdale added, “Alexander brings an extraordinary mix of heart, grit, and authenticity to this project, and we’re proud to partner with him as he takes this major step as a filmmaker.”

Alongside their work on the film, Billings‘ creative team is hoping to make a real-world impact with the launch of a companion resource website, BillingsForAmerica.com, designed to help Americans better understand and navigate the U.S. healthcare system, including access pathways for critical medications and information intended to support families facing similar crises.

On a tear recently as an actor, Ludwig will soon begin filming the next season of HBO’s The White Lotus opposite Helena Bonham Carter, Chris Messina, and Steve Coogan. He recently wrapped a lead in What the F*ck Is My Password?, directed by Steve Pink, and is currently filming the indie Hal opposite Emma Roberts. Upcoming, he’s also set to appear in Unabom, Netflix’s Unabomber thriller with Russell Crowe, Shailene Woodley, and Jacob Tremblay. Ludwig is repped by Gersh and Untitled.

Gugino is coming off a role alongside Idris Elba and John Cena in Heads of State, the Amazon MGM action-comedy that has broken ground as their fourth most-watched original film ever on streaming. Her upcoming slate includes David Fincher’s The Adventures of Cliff Booth, the Tarantino-penned Netflix sequel to Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, as well as Mike Flanagan’s new Exorcist movie, and more. She is repped by Gersh, Untitled, and Kopeikin Law P.C.

Best known for her lead role in Netflix’s YA skating drama series Zero Chill, Beedie has also been seen in projects like The Hunting Party, Kung Fu, and Motherland: Fort Salem. She is repped by Collingwood Management.

Hickson starred in Freeform’s Motherland: Fort Salem, with additional credits including Deadly Class, Bad Genius, and Deadpool. She is repped by Principals Talent Management and Trademark Talent.

A frequent collaborator of Taylor Sheridan’s across series like Lioness, Yellowstone, 1883 and Mayor of Kingstown, as well as films like the Angelina Jolie-led Those Who Wish Me Dead, Jordan recently earned an Ensemble Actor Award nomination as part of the cast of the hit Taylor Sheridan series Landman, heading into its third season, where he plays petroleum engineer Dale Bradley. He is repped by Alex Cole at Elevate Entertainment and Jamie Freed Management.

Maats is repped by Osbrink Talent Agency.