For a quarter of a century, Dakota and Elle Fanning have been a constant presence in Hollywood. But until now, they've carefully navigated their careers on parallel tracks, intentionally keeping their professional lives separate. That era is officially coming to an end.
With Elle Fanning earning her first Oscar nomination this year for her role in the Norwegian film Sentimental Value, and the sisters finally preparing to shoot their first movie together, the Fannings are entering an exciting new chapter—one where they're not just acting, but shaping their own destinies as producers and collaborators .

A Promise Before Their First Film Together
The highly anticipated film The Nightingale, based on Kristin Hannah's bestselling historical novel, will finally bring the sisters together on screen for the first time. Set for release in February 2027, the drama follows two sisters navigating the dangers of Nazi-occupied France during World War II .
At the 2026 Golden Globes, Elle revealed the ground rules Dakota has set for their first collaboration.

"She's promised me that she's not gonna boss me around," Elle told E! News on the red carpet. "That's what she's promised. The older sister. You can't! You have to treat me like a fellow actor" .

Dakota, for her part, had a playful stipulation when asked what Elle shouldn't do on set: "annoy me too much," she quipped, bursting into laughter .
The project has been in development for years. "It's taken a couple years in the making," Elle shared, "but we are finally, really doing it this time" .

Elle's Oscar Breakthrough
This year marks a significant milestone for the younger Fanning sister. Elle received her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Joachim Trier's Sentimental Value .
The film, which also received eight other nominations including Best Picture, follows estranged sisters who reconnect with their once-famous film director father. Elle plays an American actress cast in his new movie, causing further tension in an already delicate family dynamic .
Taking to Instagram after the nomination announcement, an emotional Elle wrote: "IS THIS A DREAM!?!?!?! I can't catch my breath. I am in absolute shock. What an honor to have my first Academy Award nomination be for a film that acknowledges the power of moviemaking and family!" .
Dakota commented on her sister's post: "I am the proudest sister today and every day. My best friend. My person. I love you" .

Building an Empire Together: Lewellen Pictures
Beyond acting, the sisters are making power moves behind the camera through their production company, Lewellen Pictures. The banner has become a significant force in Hollywood, with multiple high-profile projects in various stages of development .
Most notably, the Fannings are executive producing the upcoming Apple TV+ series Margo's Got Money Troubles, which stars Elle in the titular role. Based on Rufi Thorpe's acclaimed novel, the series follows a young woman who turns to OnlyFans—with marketing advice from her ex-pro-wrestler father—to support herself and her baby .

The project boasts an impressive creative team, with David E. Kelley serving as showrunner and Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films producing alongside Lewellen Pictures. The cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, and Kidman herself .
Elle described her connection to the source material: "I got my hands on [the book] and got to read it early on and was so taken with it. I could see how it could be made into just a fantastic show" .

Dakota's Expanding Television Empire
Meanwhile, Dakota is leading her own projects. She will star in and executive produce a new untitled thriller series for Apple TV+ from Homeland creator Alex Cary .
Dakota plays an undercover Treasury agent who infiltrates a multibillion-dollar international conglomerate with deep political and criminal connections. The series, produced by Sony Pictures Television, has received a full series order and will be directed by Kari Skogland .

Elle will executive produce alongside her sister through Lewellen Pictures, marking another collaboration between the siblings behind the scenes .
Dakota's recent television work includes starring opposite Sarah Snook in Peacock's All Her Fault, as well as leading roles in Netflix's Ripley and The Perfect Couple .

Why They Waited to Work Together
In interviews, both sisters have explained their deliberate choice to establish independent identities before collaborating professionally.
"When we were younger, we wanted to make sure that people saw us differently, and we wanted to give each other space to carve our own path," Elle told Vanity Fair last September. "But as adults, it's been very fulfilling to merge" .

Elle has also humorously acknowledged the privilege of being Dakota's younger sister, calling herself a "nepo sister" at the Golden Globes. "Of course I got opportunities," she quipped, "because people are like, 'Oh, it's Dakota Fanning's sister. We'll see her audition'" .

A Bond Beyond Hollywood
The sisters frequently share their affection for each other publicly. For Dakota's 32nd birthday in February, Elle posted a video of them dancing together with the caption: "Our song. Your birthday. My sister. She is the coolest person anyone will ever meet and I'm the lucky one who gets to call her mine! I love you" .
When Elle turned 27 last year, Dakota shared their "first photo together"—snapped with their mother in the hospital shortly after Elle's birth. "I was asleep in the delivery room during Elle's birth, so I can really say we have been together from the start," Dakota wrote. "What an honor that has been, and I can't wait for the rest" 

What's Next
With Dakota at 31 and Elle at 27, the sisters have already amassed decades of industry experience. As they finally prepare to share the screen in The Nightingale, expand their production slate, and celebrate Elle's first Oscar nomination, one thing is clear: the Fanning sisters are no longer just Hollywood's favorite siblings—they're a formidable creative force, unhurriedly but decisively shaping their own destiny.