Tanya Reynolds on Timestalker, the “fantastic” Alice Lowe and life after Sex Education

Tanya Reynolds on Timestalker, the “fantastic” Alice Lowe and life after Sex Education

As I delve into the captivating journey of Jessica Plummer, I am utterly astounded by her versatility and dedication to her craft. Her transition from a beloved character on a successful original series to embracing an array of diverse roles, from period dramas to modern adaptations, is nothing short of remarkable.


There’s no doubt among anyone who watched Sex Education that Tanya Reynolds has a natural magic about her.

Starting out in series such as Delicious, Outlander and Death in Paradise, Reynolds has played some of the quirkiest, sweetest characters around, which is true of her latest role, too, in Alice Lowe’s dazzlingly delightful romcom Timestalker. 

Its quality speaks for itself, as Reynolds didn’t even read a line of the script before signing up for the role of Meg. Instead, she was instantly sold on the project as it had Lowe’s name attached to it as the director, writer and lead actor too. 

As a passionate admirer of Alice Lowe’s work, I was thrilled when an email from my agent arrived, enclosing a script and a letter penned by none other than the talented Alice herself. The mere mention of her name sparked excitement within me, and I found myself eagerly agreeing to whatever role she had in store for me. Indeed, I would do anything she asks – I’m that much of a fan!

I believe she’s exceptionally talented, and my confidence in her as a filmmaker is high. After only a few pages of the script, I felt certain that it was impressive, and it continued to improve even more.

The movie chronicles Lowe’s character, Agnes, a self-proclaimed “eternal romantic,” as she pursues her love interest, Alex (Aneurin Barnard), across different eras, from 17th century Scotland to 1980s New York. In each reincarnation, Agnes becomes increasingly misguided, with her companions always at her side. However, in every life, George (Nick Frost) ultimately ends up killing her.

Here’s a possible way of paraphrasing the given sentence while maintaining its meaning:

At the centre of this pink-pastel dark comedy, underneath the beheadings and meta analogy of an artist’s obsession with their own art, is sweet Meg (“I love Meg, bless her”), a heartbreakingly loyal companion to Agnes who gradually evolves from a stranger to a maid to her best friend in each reincarnation. 

Regarding Meg, Reynolds commented: “It’s a delightful test. Typically, when portraying a character, you consider their growth throughout the narrative and how they adapt within different scenarios and timelines.

As a captivated admirer, I found myself enthralled by the challenge of crafting a character who spanned numerous eras. The question constantly on my mind was, “How does this character grow and change? What is her journey?” It was no small feat to weave a compelling arc for her throughout countless centuries.

Alice referred to her as the soul of the movie, as she embodied the genuine love portrayed in the film, given her profound affection for Agnes and unwavering loyalty towards her.

As Agnes immerses herself in a romantic relationship with Alex, a man who often falls short with mediocre conversation or worse, fails to acknowledge her presence, she appears to disregard the significance of her lifelong platonic friend, Meg. A situation that many of us find ourselves in at some point.

As I grow older, it seems like society often emphasizes the need to find a partner as a means to avoid loneliness, and I, Reynolds, find myself constantly seeking romantic love. This idea is frequently woven into our lives.

“But there’s so much to be said for platonic love, for friendships, and maybe the loves of your life more often than not can be your friends.”

Meg is always ready to assist in every situation, with a vibrator at the ready, to aid Agnes in fulfilling all of her desires, even if those desires may be misguided.

One way to rephrase the given sentence could be: “A significant aspect of the movie’s appeal lies in how the time travel element offers diverse visual styles for each period it explores.

Reflecting on the past, she muses that we seemed to have spent a significant amount of time during the ’80s, an era filled with diverse styles. During this decade, Meg underwent a transformation, discovering feminism and embarking on a journey of self-discovery. She also started seeing a therapist, which likely led her to explore more about her sexual identity.

Initially, it was enjoyable to watch her character evolve from a cute, bowl-cut look in New York. As the story progressed, she became even more stylish. However, I had a particular fondness for the futuristic setting, which wasn’t prevalent throughout the film. Kissing Alice in that era and dancing a bit were truly exciting moments for me.

The one and only dance routine in Timestalker, where the whole cast form an in sync troop as they head out to fight their opponents outside (as you do), is one of the best oddball additions of the film.  

Reynolds describes being inside an unknown location in Cardiff, saying, ‘It was some sort of underground place.’ He goes on to say, ‘We were practicing a dance routine there, wearing those jumpsuits that looked like boiler suits. I felt quite hip, feeling as if I was part of a boy band.’

Reynolds and I found ourselves in agreement that every movie ought to conclude with a pre-planned dance sequence: “It was simply the ideal finale. I recall discussing this with Alice, and she responded, ‘Well, who wouldn’t enjoy departing the theater after something like that?’ A random dance number leaves you with a spring in your step. I believe it’s brilliant.

It’s clear that the cast and crew poured their heart into Timestalker, which Reynolds says is not only testament to Lowe as a director but the special nature of working on an independent film. 

She praises the director as exceptional, mentioning that everyone involved – from crew to cast – was present due to their strong faith in the script and Alice herself. Each day on set, this conviction was palpable.

Tanya Reynolds on Timestalker, the “fantastic” Alice Lowe and life after Sex Education

“It’s so hard to get independent films made. It took Alice seven years to get this made, which is actually really heartbreaking considering how good it is, and that’s why I really want people to go and see this and support independent films. 

This is an area that offers immense freedom for talented individuals like Alice, who can function both as a writer, director, and actor, to unleash their full creative potential and delve into unrestricted artistic expression.

Timestalker is one of Reynolds’ numerous accomplishments, following her meteoric rise to stardom playing Lily Iglehart in the critically acclaimed Netflix show Sex Education.

Reynolds expresses deep gratitude, stating, ‘I feel incredibly fortunate,’ reflecting on her experience with the show. ‘She was an extraordinary find. I adore characters like hers, but such roles aren’t common. She was truly unique.’

During the audition process, it became clear that no script was provided; instead, I only had a few scenes featuring the character Lily. From these scenes alone, I felt an immediate connection and conviction that I must portray this character. Her humor truly resonated with me.

I can hardly believe it’s been this long since we began, all the way from our initial season. The opportunity to be a part of what I did was such an unusual and precious experience. Roles like those don’t come around often. I simply feel incredibly fortunate.

Following the success of his original series, Reynolds found himself facing a challenging sense of curiosity about what would come after: “What’s next?” His beloved role as the biggest fan of alien erotica had run its course over three truly wonderful years.

For three fantastic years, I was part of her character, and I cherished the chance to delve into her and develop with her,” Reynolds stated. “In the third season, it seemed my story arc reached a satisfying conclusion for me and Lily. I was content to conclude things there. As I approached turning 30, it felt appropriate to embark on new adventures in my 30s.

After that, Reynolds has assumed various characters, ranging from portraying Emma in an adaptation of Jane Austen’s work, to the character Dodger in an Oliver Twist spin-off, and more recently, he played a part in Netflix’s production titled The Decameron.

She confides, “I really enjoy working with historical details.” Despite the fact that often the outfits can be quite awkward, she admits to finding pleasure in it. What she appreciates is being completely immersed in another time period.

I have a fondness for bygone eras, or anything not currently present. I haven’t engaged in any activities from the 1920s, 1930s, or similar times; I yearn to participate in them all.

Tanya Reynolds on Timestalker, the “fantastic” Alice Lowe and life after Sex Education

Reynolds eagerly anticipates her upcoming role in ‘The Seagull’. Fresh from her triumphant performance in ‘A Mirror’ earlier this year, which earned her a Laurence Olivier Award nomination, she now joins an illustrious cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke, Emma Corrin, and Jason Watkins for this Chekhov adaptation.

Reynolds is thrilled beyond measure as he talks about the play he’ll be performing for six weeks starting February next year. He confessed that he wasn’t familiar with the script prior to his audition, but after reading it, he couldn’t help but fall head over heels for the character of Marsha.

When I heard about the role of Marsha, I instantly thought, ‘This is me!’ I couldn’t help but feel compelled to take on this opportunity. I’m thrilled that everything has fallen into place and I’m now part of it.

I’m astonished! I’m going to meet Cate, and yet, I’m absolutely petrified. It hasn’t been too long, but the desire to perform on stage once more is already palpable.

After that, Reynolds isn’t sure what’s next, but she’s happy to take “every script as it comes”. 

I’m drawn to unique tales and initiatives such as Timestalker, which emerge from dynamic and imaginative brainstorming sessions. I’m always on the lookout for fresh ideas in any form.

Without a doubt, should Lowe reach out once more, I’m all ears and ready to help – “Absolutely, Alice! One hundred percent!

Timestalker is showing in cinemas now.

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2024-10-12 21:34