How Keeley Hawes & Freddie Highmore’s On-Screen Mother-Son Dynamic Became Real Off-Screen

When Keeley Hawes learned she’d be working alongside Freddie Highmore, her main concern was ensuring they got along: “I needed a quick video call to make sure we didn’t find each other off-putting.” It seems that the video call went smoothly, as their on-screen and behind-the-scenes dynamics in The Assassin – a captivating blend of comedy and suspense from the Williams brothers (The Tourist, The Missing), premiering on Amazon Prime Video – suggest. Interestingly, they share an unexpected camaraderie even amidst the windy confines of their trailer perched on a windswept section of the Greek coastline, with no signs of conflicting personalities.

Hawes is undeniably one of the most prominent figures on British television, with a resume that spans from Spooks and Tipping the Velvet to Bodyguard and Miss Austen. After starting out as a child actor, Highmore has established himself as a household name in American television, first with the TV prequel series Bates Motel and then with the medical drama The Good Doctor.

The characters portray mother-son duo, Julie and Edward, who have a complicated, strained relationship characterized by emotional detachment and confidentiality. After retiring from her secretive life as an assassin, Julie resides in a secluded cottage on a Greek island. Edward, on the other hand, is a dedicated investigative journalist, reuniting with his mother after four years with important personal updates and a strong urge to discover his biological father (with hints of “Mamma Mia!”). However, an unexpected “one last job” proposition for Julie stirs up trouble, leading to chaos.

Hawes remarks, “Time has passed swiftly,” while donning the attire of a retired assassin, complete with a vest top and three-quarter-length khaki pants. He notes that making progress isn’t always guaranteed, and if enjoyment is lacking, it can seem as though an extended period has passed before returning home.

Highmore remarks, ‘It’s quite surprising, but our thoughts align more than you’d expect,'” says he, clearly a traveler out of sorts, his shirt rumpled and jeans casual. “At times, we exchange glances and think: ‘In a strange way, we’re remarkably similar.’ Or, to put it another way, we’re in sync.

The bond of friendship often develops through a common appreciation for humor, playful banter, and frequent laughter. It might also stem from the fact that you both started your careers at a young age within the same industry.

At age nine, Hawes enrolled in Sylvia Young Theatre School and had modeling work before landing her major role at 19 in Dennis Potter’s Karaoke. In contrast, Highmore, whose parents are an actor and a talent agent, started acting at ten, appearing alongside Johnny Depp first in Finding Neverland and then in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t help but express my astonishment, “It’s strange we haven’t discussed that before,” I mused, looking back at Freddie’s youthful appearance. Yet, there’s an uncanny wisdom in his eyes, hinting at years beyond his years. Perhaps this maturity stems from the premature exposure to adult life on set, as it was for him. To be honest, I never felt deprived or missed out on anything. On the contrary, those days were a joyous rollercoaster ride!

However, things are different now. If I were a child actor today, I’d likely have tutors and other adult supervision – but back then, the rules were more lenient, with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It never felt like work; instead, it was an exhilarating adventure. And even now, most of the time, it still is!

Highmore, who once enjoyed filming as a child but also pursued studies in languages at Cambridge and internships at banks and law firms, says, “I always had fun filming, but it wasn’t just play. There was a sense of gravity that made it enjoyable for me. Acting seemed like an extension of my childhood experiences. My parents helped me keep a balance and normalcy in my life. Attending university and taking a break from acting was crucial because I didn’t want my career to be an extension of my childhood, but the choice of a mature adult.

Ever since The Durrells wrapped up in 2019, Greece has been our yearly family getaway spot. “It’s a delight to return and collaborate once more with many of the familiar faces,” I express. “The ambiance here instantly soothes you. It’s a place that seems inviting, a location where people are eager to visit – my children have grown enough that they’ve all made their way over independently.

For Highmore, this new role signifies a refreshing shift, following over a decade of steering two popular TV series. He confesses, “There’s a piece of me that yearns for the family you form on shows like these. At the same time, it’s incredibly exhilarating to venture into something new, particularly something British after such a long stint in North America. Despite being set in Athens, it feels comfortingly familiar.” He seems a bit apologetic. “I’m sorry, I can’t succinctly explain why British television differs from American, but there is an intrinsic difference.

According to Hawes, the catering is superior elsewhere, which makes Highmore laugh heartily. Their laughter will last throughout the night, as they’ll eventually hop into a 4×4 to face winding mountain roads leading to an abandoned military outpost. The upcoming gunfight, expertly choreographed and passionately acted, isn’t foreign to Hawes, given his background in action scenes from BBC1’s Crossfire.

Hawes shares that he quickly learned how to assemble a rifle in his trailer before filming a scene where Julie does the same. He found it relatively easy since he’s good with Legos. Interestingly, he was given a note later to act more clumsy. This production is one of the most action-packed shows he’s worked on, allowing them to perform many stunts ourselves – including throwing a man over a car. However, he feels no pressure because Julie is supposed to be out of practice due to spending time in the mountains and drinking excessively. Many of the fight scenes are improvised, aiming for an authentic, rough look, so if he makes mistakes, he can blame it on the character.

Despite finding the actual acting experience enjoyable for both actors, what truly resonated was the depth and complexity of the family dynamics portrayed. As Hawes expresses, “I find their relationship particularly relatable.” This is because, as a parent, she identifies with the dynamic between the characters, particularly in her interactions with her own children. She finds this aspect of the performance to be authentic since, often, one tends to clash with those who share similar traits, reflecting aspects one might not appreciate in oneself. Notably, Julie’s character exhibits a layer of vulnerability beneath a tough exterior, which Hawes appreciates. Moreover, she admires individuals who don’t prioritize being likable, like Julie.

Highmore remarks, “Their relationship is tinged with sadness at its core.” He explains that while they might understand each other more deeply than anyone else, they’ve been concealing secrets from one another. They yearn for closeness and realize they should be, but somehow always miss the mark. In a sense, they’re isolated within their family, searching for that emotional bond and striving to find their place in life.

“That’s brilliant,” says Hawes. “Can I use that when you’re not around?”

Highmore smiles brightly,” he confides, moving closer, “Though our friendship only started before the show, it seems like we’ve known each other for much longer.

Hawes goes still further, with a glint of mischief. “Freddie basically is my son!”

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2025-07-15 12:37