‘People started to call us Abba’

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a soft spot for compelling dramas that tug at my heartstrings, I must say, “Playing Nice” has certainly piqued my interest! The character of Miles is indeed a challenging and complex one, and it’s refreshing to see such an unlikeable character portrayed so authentically.

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Let me begin by expressing my strong dislike for Miles. Kudos for developing such a hard-to-love character!

Great — job well done!

Miles is extremely controlling, isn’t he?

Absolutely, navigating the coercive control aspect required great care. Jess [Brown Findlay] and I frequently discussed this. Being familiar with each other from our work together in Life after Life, really eased the process. There are some challenging scenes between us, so it was essential that she felt secure and content throughout. We had mutual trust.

In Glasgow’s terms, he seems to have all the resources but lacks the knowledge of how to use them effectively. Every move appears designed to weaken and belittle, carried out with a calculated politeness.

How did you come to be cast?

James Norton and I have been acquainted since our shared year at drama school, and for quite some time, we’ve aspired to collaborate on a project. When the script arrived in my hands, it was an instant decision.

Was there any discussion around you keeping your accent?

In a different phrasing, it can be said: As the director, Kate Hewitt was eager for me to take on the role. Normally, when I’m playing a character from Scotland, I use Shakespearean dialect, but this time it was different as I used contemporary language instead. This allowed me to focus directly on the character’s psychology. Kate’s strategy was clever, as a Scottish accent is known for being welcoming, modest, and trust-inspiring.

2024-12-23 16:39

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