Russell T Davies and Helena Bonham Carter on protecting the legacy of Noele Gordon
Russell T Davies says late TV and soap star Noele Gordon has no family living with him – which has left him and Helena Bonham Carter “protective” of her legacy and determined to make it. her “justice” in their latest project.
The three-part ITVX series Nolly will see Bonham Carter play Gordon – known to his friends as Nolly – following the ups and downs of the actress, who was scandalously and controversially fired after 19 years on the set. British TV series Crossroads at the age of 61.
Davies, best known for Doctor Who and Channel 4’s series It’s A Sin, said of Bonham Carter: “What a joy, an honor and a laugh. She is interesting. It’s one of those situations where people say, ‘Should we send the script to Helena Bonham Carter?’
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Helena Bonham Carter (Ian West/PA)
“I just rolled my eyes and said, ‘She wouldn’t want to do this, she’s busy making a movie. Getting instant approval from her and the instant connection to the character was amazing.
“To be fair, like all of us, she was very determined to do justice to Nolly. There is no one left in Nolly’s family so there is no one to protect her legacy. I think it makes us more protective – all of us – to take care of her, to be honest but kind.
“That’s what Helena brought to her. There is a ruthless honesty. But she also captures her joy, I think. She filled it with life.”
Davies said Bonham Carter’s portrayal of the role was one of his “favorite performances” and that he had “the most joy” of spending time talking to the former actors, who were who “admired” Gordon.
The 59-year-old said the “public humiliation” Gordon suffered after being mysteriously fired overnight had always interested him and it was only after working in TV that he realized it. that’s strange.
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Russell T Davies (Jane Barlow/PA)
The Bafta Award-winning writer Davies said the story of “a very manly woman in the industry” and how Gordon was treated “indifferently and even callously” still happens to this day.
He said: “I know we’ve been through stages of many ‘me too’ stories, with millions more to come, but I think there are bigger stories out there.
“It’s like men don’t just treat women badly sexually. Men treat women badly. I think we are exploiting something much more common, which is simply contempt in the workplace. It refers to the contempt and indifference that men show to women.
“The same is true of any workplace. Very few of us work in an episodic play but most of us work in an office with bosses and lovers and enemies and long-running rivalry, controversy and feuds. decades.
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British actor Mark Gatiss, who stars as Gordon’s inimitable entertainer and best friend Larry Grayson, said Davies wrote the series as a “love letter” to the media. Figure.
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Mark Gatiss (Isabelle/PA’s Newborn Babies)
Meanwhile, Bonham Carter said Davies is “a champion of the underdog and the forgotten.”
Of Gordon, she said: “Russell thinks she’s been mistreated and wants to put her back in people’s minds and give her the farewell she deserves. I know he feels that Nolly deserves better treatment than she has received in real life.
“So for me personally, I hope it inspires the Nolly in all of us – someone who won’t die quietly and won’t accept any mistreatment.”
Nolly is the reunion of screenwriter Davies, director Peter Hoar and executive producer Nicola Shindler. The trio also collaborated on Channel 4’s hit series It’s A Sin.
The series also stars The Morning Show actor Augustus Prew, Silent Witness star Richard Lintern, Happy Valley’s Con O’Neill, The Crown’s Clare Foster, Downtown Abbey’s Antonia Bernath and Lloyd Griffith’s Lloyd Griffith Ted Lasso.
Nolly premieres on ITVX on Thursday, February 2.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/russell-t-davies-and-helena-bonham-carter-on-protecting-noele-gordons-legacy-42309569.html Russell T Davies and Helena Bonham Carter on protecting the legacy of Noele Gordon