Tag: The English

  • ‘I Love Building a Story’: Sally James on ‘The English’

    Express News Service

    What was it about ‘The English’ that made you want to be a part of it?

    I read the script and just found it completely heart-stopping. It’s so rare to read something that gives you the feeling of having no idea what is coming next. Things are usually contorting or conforming to some sort of ideal, but this story wasn’t, in any way.

    I remember reading the part where Ciaran Hinds’s character punches me hard in the face (laughs), and I just thought, ‘Well, all bets are off now! You don’t know what’s going to happen.’ This is a story that moves like a chase-thriller but is very tender at its heart.

    Tell us about your character.

    I play Lady Cornelia Locke, a British aristocratic lady, who shows up in the Wild West seeking revenge for her son’s death. She is completely ill-prepared for what lies ahead but turns out, she has some strengths that even she didn’t know of. She enlists the help of a pawnee warrior (played by Chaske Spencer) and they go on this epic adventure.

    (Director)Hugo Blick wrote Cornelia as a very colourful character, one that is surprising at every turn. She has suffered great loss and yet there’s a guilelessness and hopefulness to her. I think she is innocent, but not naïve.

    How was it working with Hugo Blick, both as a writer and director?

    Hugo is a genius. I tell him that often. He has written the most dexterous, complicated, otherworldly script and yet he is a wonderful director because he doesn’t cling too tightly to his words. He lets you do what you want. He’s curious and is interested to see what you do with the world he has created. Hugo is also an extraordinary writer, who explores things that feel elliptical, clever and unusual.

    It was just endlessly exciting to see what he would do every day. I was always looking forward to see how he had set the shots up.

    What was it like getting to ride a horse for this series?

    Since the project got delayed due to Covid-19, it allowed me to practice horse riding longer than I would have done otherwise, especially because I needed it. Everyone thinks they can ride, but you realise that you can’t once you get on the horse. That said,  I found the experience transporting.I, sort of, was in love with my horse by the end of the shoot. It was quite sad to say goodbye to him.

    What do you think it is about the Western genre that makes it so compelling?

    It’s a fantastic backdrop––a world that’s built on brutality, violence, power, race and loss. So it’s potent and exciting. I had never been in one before. I remember my mum showed me Shane and Old Yeller. They are quite a nostalgic part of my childhood, so I was thrilled to do one myself.

    You have also produced the project. Tell us about the experience.

    I loved it. I wouldn’t say it was a burning ambition, but it was something that made sense for this particular series. ‘The English’ was brought to me as a pilot, so it was in its embryonic stages. To be able to help bring it to life and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Hugo was incredible. But I have always been interested in every aspect of a project. It’s not enough for me to just be an actor. I love building a story.I love the post-production and helping with the edit.

    Do you think you will follow in your husband’s (John Krasinsky) shoes into directing one day?

    I would like to believe that, but I have seen what it costs, emotionally and physically, to get through directing a film. Right now, I am still learning and absorbing. I am very interested in all facets of making a film or a series, so maybe one day.

    Finally, what lessons have you learned from this or any of the various characters you have played?

    I don’t know if it is always specific to the character. I just feel fortunate to get that fresh injection of people, crew, environment and story in this line of work. Subliminally and unconsciously, I think we are shaped by all of those experiences.

    What was it about ‘The English’ that made you want to be a part of it?

    I read the script and just found it completely heart-stopping. It’s so rare to read something that gives you the feeling of having no idea what is coming next. Things are usually contorting or conforming to some sort of ideal, but this story wasn’t, in any way.

    I remember reading the part where Ciaran Hinds’s character punches me hard in the face (laughs), and I just thought, ‘Well, all bets are off now! You don’t know what’s going to happen.’ This is a story that moves like a chase-thriller but is very tender at its heart.

    Tell us about your character.

    I play Lady Cornelia Locke, a British aristocratic lady, who shows up in the Wild West seeking revenge for her son’s death. She is completely ill-prepared for what lies ahead but turns out, she has some strengths that even she didn’t know of. She enlists the help of a pawnee warrior (played by Chaske Spencer) and they go on this epic adventure.

    (Director)Hugo Blick wrote Cornelia as a very colourful character, one that is surprising at every turn. She has suffered great loss and yet there’s a guilelessness and hopefulness to her. I think she is innocent, but not naïve.

    How was it working with Hugo Blick, both as a writer and director?

    Hugo is a genius. I tell him that often. He has written the most dexterous, complicated, otherworldly script and yet he is a wonderful director because he doesn’t cling too tightly to his words. He lets you do what you want. He’s curious and is interested to see what you do with the world he has created. Hugo is also an extraordinary writer, who explores things that feel elliptical, clever and unusual.

    It was just endlessly exciting to see what he would do every day. I was always looking forward to see how he had set the shots up.

    What was it like getting to ride a horse for this series?

    Since the project got delayed due to Covid-19, it allowed me to practice horse riding longer than I would have done otherwise, especially because I needed it. Everyone thinks they can ride, but you realise that you can’t once you get on the horse. That said,  I found the experience transporting.
    I, sort of, was in love with my horse by the end of the shoot. It was quite sad to say goodbye to him.

    What do you think it is about the Western genre that makes it so compelling?

    It’s a fantastic backdrop––a world that’s built on brutality, violence, power, race and loss. So it’s potent and exciting. I had never been in one before. I remember my mum showed me Shane and Old Yeller. They are quite a nostalgic part of my childhood, so I was thrilled to do one myself.

    You have also produced the project. Tell us about the experience.

    I loved it. I wouldn’t say it was a burning ambition, but it was something that made sense for this particular series. ‘The English’ was brought to me as a pilot, so it was in its embryonic stages. To be able to help bring it to life and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Hugo was incredible. But I have always been interested in every aspect of a project. It’s not enough for me to just be an actor. I love building a story.
    I love the post-production and helping with the edit.

    Do you think you will follow in your husband’s (John Krasinsky) shoes into directing one day?

    I would like to believe that, but I have seen what it costs, emotionally and physically, to get through directing a film. Right now, I am still learning and absorbing. I am very interested in all facets of making a film or a series, so maybe one day.

    Finally, what lessons have you learned from this or any of the various characters you have played?

    I don’t know if it is always specific to the character. I just feel fortunate to get that fresh injection of people, crew, environment and story in this line of work. Subliminally and unconsciously, I think we are shaped by all of those experiences.

  • Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer-led series ‘The English’ to premier on Prime Video in November

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Western drama series “The English”, starring Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer, will start streaming on Prime Video from November 11.

    According to a press release issued by the streaming platform, all six episodes of the limited series will be released together.

    “The English” will make its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival as their series special presentation on October 15.

    The series is a co-production with Amazon Studios and BBC, in association with All3Media International. Billed as an “epic chase Western”, the show hails from writer and director Hugo Blick.

    The series takes the core themes of identity and revenge to tell a uniquely compelling parable on race, power, and love.

    “An aristocratic Englishwoman, Lady Cornelia Locke (Blunt), and a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout, Eli Whipp (Spencer), come together in 1890 middle America to cross a violent landscape built on dreams and blood. Both of them have a clear sense of their destiny, but neither is aware that it is rooted in a shared past,” the plotline reads.

    The series’ ensemble cast includes Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Toby Jones, and Ciaran Hinds. “The English” is produced by Drama Republic Ltd and Eight Rooks Ltd. Blunt also serves as executive producer, alongside Greg Brenman for Drama Republic. Colin Wratten is attached as the producer.

    LOS ANGELES: Western drama series “The English”, starring Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer, will start streaming on Prime Video from November 11.

    According to a press release issued by the streaming platform, all six episodes of the limited series will be released together.

    “The English” will make its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival as their series special presentation on October 15.

    The series is a co-production with Amazon Studios and BBC, in association with All3Media International. Billed as an “epic chase Western”, the show hails from writer and director Hugo Blick.

    The series takes the core themes of identity and revenge to tell a uniquely compelling parable on race, power, and love.

    “An aristocratic Englishwoman, Lady Cornelia Locke (Blunt), and a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout, Eli Whipp (Spencer), come together in 1890 middle America to cross a violent landscape built on dreams and blood. Both of them have a clear sense of their destiny, but neither is aware that it is rooted in a shared past,” the plotline reads.

    The series’ ensemble cast includes Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Toby Jones, and Ciaran Hinds. “The English” is produced by Drama Republic Ltd and Eight Rooks Ltd. Blunt also serves as executive producer, alongside Greg Brenman for Drama Republic. Colin Wratten is attached as the producer.

  • Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer-led series ‘The English’ to premiere on Prime Video in November

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: Western drama series “The English”, starring Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer, will start streaming on Prime Video from November 11.

    According to a press release issued by the streaming platform, all six episodes of the limited series will be released together.

    “The English” will make its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival as their series special presentation on October 15.

    The series is a co-production with Amazon Studios and BBC, in association with All3Media International. Billed as an “epic chase Western”, the show hails from writer and director Hugo Blick.

    The series takes the core themes of identity and revenge to tell a uniquely compelling parable on race, power, and love.

    “An aristocratic Englishwoman, Lady Cornelia Locke (Blunt), and a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout, Eli Whipp (Spencer), come together in 1890 middle America to cross a violent landscape built on dreams and blood. Both of them have a clear sense of their destiny, but neither is aware that it is rooted in a shared past,” the plotline reads.

    The series’ ensemble cast includes Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Toby Jones, and Ciaran Hinds. “The English” is produced by Drama Republic Ltd and Eight Rooks Ltd. Blunt also serves as executive producer, alongside Greg Brenman for Drama Republic. Colin Wratten is attached as the producer.

    LOS ANGELES: Western drama series “The English”, starring Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer, will start streaming on Prime Video from November 11.

    According to a press release issued by the streaming platform, all six episodes of the limited series will be released together.

    “The English” will make its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival as their series special presentation on October 15.

    The series is a co-production with Amazon Studios and BBC, in association with All3Media International. Billed as an “epic chase Western”, the show hails from writer and director Hugo Blick.

    The series takes the core themes of identity and revenge to tell a uniquely compelling parable on race, power, and love.

    “An aristocratic Englishwoman, Lady Cornelia Locke (Blunt), and a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout, Eli Whipp (Spencer), come together in 1890 middle America to cross a violent landscape built on dreams and blood. Both of them have a clear sense of their destiny, but neither is aware that it is rooted in a shared past,” the plotline reads.

    The series’ ensemble cast includes Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Toby Jones, and Ciaran Hinds. “The English” is produced by Drama Republic Ltd and Eight Rooks Ltd. Blunt also serves as executive producer, alongside Greg Brenman for Drama Republic. Colin Wratten is attached as the producer.

  • Emily Blunt to lead Western series ‘The English’

    By PTI
    LONDON: Hollywood star Emily Blunt is set to topline BBC and Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming Western series “The English”.

    The 38-year-old actor will co-star with Chaske Spencer, known for featuring in “Twilight” movies and “Banshee”, in the six-episode show, BBC said in a press release.

    “The Honourable Woman” creator Hugo Blick is writing and directing the show, which is currently filming in Spain.

    Set in the mid-American landscape of 1890, the high-octane epic western follows Cornelia Locke (Blunt), an Englishwoman who arrives into the new and wild landscape of the West to wreak revenge on the man she sees as responsible for the death of her son.

    Upon meeting Eli Whipp (Spencer), an ex-cavalry scout and member of the Pawnee Nation by birth, they join together and discover a shared history which must be defeated at all costs, if either of them are to survive.

    Also starring in the series are actors Rounding out the cast is Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Stephen Rea, Valerie Pachner, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, Malcolm Storry, Steve Wall, Nichola McAuliffe, Sule Rimi and Cristian Solimeno.

    “The English” is being produced by Drama Republic with Greg Brenman serving as executive producer alongside Blunt and Blick.

    The show will air on BBC One and stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK, and Amazon Prime Video in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

    Blunt is currently awaiting the release of her two movies — “A Quiet Place 2” and “Jungle Cruise”, in which she stars along with Dwayne Johnson.