Lily James has gushed over her upcoming drama The Pursuit Of Love, in another promotional interview without co-star Dominic West.
The Downton Abbey alum, 32, spoke on a Q&A panel for the BFI & Radio Times Television Festival alongside director Emily Mortimer and co-stars Andrew Scott and Emily Beecham about the upcoming drama.
In October, co-stars Lily and married Dominic, 51, were caught enjoying what appeared to be a racy weekend in Rome, leading to his wife Catherine FitzGerald assuring the public they were fine – but banning him from working with Lily.
Wow! Lily James has gushed over her upcoming drama The Pursuit Of Love, in another promotional interview without co-star Dominic West
Earlier in the week, Lily declined to discuss the media storm in an interview with The Guardian – but admitted there is in fact much to discuss, saying: ‘Ach, I’m not really willing to talk about that. There is a lot to say, but not now, I’m afraid.’
Emily’s novel adaptation follows the story of Linda Radlett – played by Lily – and her hunt to find love and marriage, while Dominic plays her Uncle Matthew.
The period drama focuses on two best friends – Linda and Emily’s character Fanny – in the interwar years navigating their way in very different styles.
Speaking about bringing the story to life, Lily said the idea for the series came about eight years ago: ‘It’s been years, this idea that came about from my agents…
Oh! In October, co-stars Lily and married Dominic, 51, were caught enjoying what appeared to be a racy weekend in Rome, leading to his wife Catherine FitzGerald assuring the public they were fine – but banning him from working with Lily
Starring role: Dominic plays Lily’s character’s Uncle Matthew
‘We’d talk about it at dinners and there was this impulse to create this story now on screen with just how intoxicating and precious and wonderful the story and the characters are.’
Emily said of her directorial debut: ‘I want to feel the excitement, the danger, the longing and irreverence that I feel when I read this book when I watch this show and I was trying to think of all the ways of communicating that visually.’
Fleabag’s ‘Hot Priest’ Andrew Scott, who plays Lord Merlin, said: ‘The thing I loved about the character is that he’s fluid, audacious and brave…
Hard work! Emily Mortimer was on the panel to discuss her directorial debut
Starring role: Fleabag’s ‘Hot Priest’ Andrew Scott, who plays Lord Merlin, said: ‘The thing I loved about the character is that he’s fluid, audacious and brave’
‘I love the fact that within the relationship [between Merlin and Linda], you don’t necessarily know what it is all the time…
‘Sometimes we are in love with our friends and we’re not in love with the people we’re supposed to be with and it’s a little bit messy – love is messy!’
Emily Beecham said of the contrast between Fanny and Linda: ‘They’re like magnets, they pull together and the next minute they’re strangers…
Staunch refusal: It is believed that part of Dominic and Catherine’s agreement is that he won’t do any promo with Lily for the series, in a bid to save their marriage – which BBC bosses have apparently reluctantly agreed to
‘Which can possibly be natural for friends who have grown up together and have been polar opposites and take different directions in life.’
The production was filmed between July and October last year, with Lily and Dominic’s Italy trip taking place shortly after filming on the period drama wrapped.
It is believed that part of Dominic and Catherine’s agreement is that he won’t do any promo with Lily for the series, in a bid to save their marriage – which BBC bosses have apparently reluctantly agreed to.
It was also revealed earlier in the week that Dominic was issued a stern warning by his own mother-in-law Olda before leaving to film The Pursuit Of Love.
Starring roles: The Pursuit of Love starts on Sunday 9th May at 9.00pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. All three episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer as a boxset
He admitted his wife Catherine’s mother told him he couldn’t ‘mess up’ the part as she was a lifelong fan of the book.
Speaking about his character, Dominic told The Daily Star: ‘His attitude to life is so not what most people think today in regards to political opinions; how to raise children, the role of women in society they are all so backwards.
‘My mother in law very sternly told me how much she loved the books and told me not to mess it up.’
You can watch the whole panel on the BFI YouTube page from 7pm BST tonight (Thursday 6th May).
The Pursuit of Love starts on Sunday 9th May at 9.00pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. All three episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer as a boxset
Having a laugh: Emily Beecham said of the contrast between Fanny and Linda: ‘They’re like magnets, they pull together and the next minute they’re strangers’