Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore’s Surprising Mother-Son Chemistry in ‘The Assassin’

by

When Keeley Hawes learned she’d be working alongside Freddie Highmore, her main concern was ensuring they didn’t dislike each other: “I needed a quick video call to make sure there was no awkwardness between us.” The rapport between the actors in the film, The Assassin, which is a captivating blend of comedy and suspense from Jack and Harry Williams (The Tourist, The Missing), now available on Amazon Prime Video, indicates that the video call went smoothly. In fact, as they chat inside a windy trailer on a rugged Greek coastline, these co-stars seem to understand each other exceptionally well, with no signs of conflicting personalities.

Certainly, Hawes is undeniably one of the most prominent figures on British television, boasting a resume that spans from Spooks, Tipping the Velvet, Bodyguard, and Miss Austen. Highmore, on the other hand, transitioned seamlessly from being a child actor to achieving genuine small-screen fame in the TV prequel series of Psycho titled Bates Motel and the long-running medical drama The Good Doctor.

In simpler terms, the characters Julie and Edward portray a complex, strained relationship akin to mother and son, marked by emotional detachment and secrecy. After retiring from her covert life as an assassin, Julie resides in a secluded cottage on a Greek island, while Edward is a diligent investigative journalist. After a gap of four years, they meet again with crucial personal updates and a strong yearning to discover his paternity (there may be hints to the movie “Mamma Mia!”). However, an old temptation in the form of “one last job” resurfaces for Julie, causing chaos and upheaval.

Hawes remarks, “It’s gone quickly,” while donning the retired assassin’s attire consisting of a vest top and three-quarter-length khaki pants. He points out that getting there isn’t automatic, and if enjoyment is lacking, it might seem like an extended absence from home.

Highmore remarks, ‘It’s strangely coincidental how much we agree, more than you might expect,’ he being quite the relaxed traveler in a wrinkled shirt and jeans. ‘At times, we glance at each other and feel: ‘We’re somehow similar in a peculiar manner.’ Or, to put it another way, we seem to be thinking along the same lines.’

The bond or connection (rapport) arises from a common sense of humor and friendly banter, often manifested regularly. It might also stem from the shared experience of entering the field at a relatively young age.

At age nine, Hawes enrolled at the Sylvia Young Theatre School and had modeling jobs prior to landing her major role at 19 in Dennis Potter’s Karaoke. Conversely, Highmore, whose parents are both actors and talent agents, began acting at the tender age of ten, sharing screen time with Johnny Depp, first in Finding Neverland and later in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Hawes expresses surprise, “We’ve never discussed that before,” he says wonderingly. “It’s quite peculiar, isn’t it? Freddie appears youthful, but his wisdom surpasses his age. Perhaps some of this maturity stems from being treated as an adult at such a young age due to the film set environment. Yet, I never felt like I was missing out on anything. It was a blast for me! However, things are quite different now – I suppose I would have had tutors and so forth, but the rules were less strict back then, with their own advantages and disadvantages. It didn’t feel like work; it was simply thrilling. And even today, most of the time, it still is.

Highmore concurs, stating that he enjoyed filming immensely during his younger years. However, he clarifies that it wasn’t just play; there was a sense of gravity that added to the fun for him. Acting seemed like an extra element in his childhood experiences. His parents played a crucial role in keeping some semblance of routine and normalcy. Taking a break from acting to study languages at Cambridge and work in banks and law firms was essential for him, as he didn’t want acting to extend his childhood years unintentionally; instead, he wanted it to be an adult’s decision.

For Hawes and her family, Greece has served as an annual vacation spot since 2019, when “The Durrells” series concluded. As she shares, it’s delightful to return and collaborate with many of the same team members again. The atmosphere is so tranquil that it seems inviting to visitors – even her children have independently chosen to travel there.

For Highmore, this new project signifies a refreshing shift following over a decade of managing two popular TV series. He admits, “There’s a part of me that yearns for the family you create while working on shows like those. Yet, it’s equally thrilling to explore something new, particularly something British after such a long stint in North America. Despite being set in Athens, it feels surprisingly familiar.” He seems somewhat apologetic. “I’m sorry, but I can’t succinctly explain why British television differs from American, but there is a distinct difference inherent within it.

According to Hawes, the food is superior elsewhere, which makes Highmore laugh quite a bit. Their laughter lingers throughout the evening, eventually leading them to hop into a 4×4 for a bumpy ride through winding mountain passes up to an abandoned military base. The following shootout, dramatically set and energetically acted out, isn’t new to Hawes, given his history with action sequences in BBC1’s Crossfire.

In a scene, Julie assembles a rifle, which Hawes quickly learned how to do backstage just 20 minutes prior. Since he’s good with Legos, he found it relatively easy. Interestingly, there was a note for him to appear more clumsy afterward! This show is particularly action-packed compared to others, and we were given the opportunity to perform many stunts ourselves – I even threw a man over a car. However, I don’t feel pressured because Julie is supposed to be out of practice due to her time spent in the mountains drinking. A lot of the fights are improvised and intended to look rough rather than polished, so when I make mistakes, I can attribute them to the character.

Despite finding the actual performance enjoyable for both actors, what truly resonated was the portrayal of family emotions and intricacies. “I find their dynamic remarkably relatable,” comments Hawes. “It mirrors my interactions with my kids, making it feel authentic to me. Frequently, you encounter friction with those most similar to you, perhaps because you see traits in them that reflect aspects you dislike within yourself. Julie, however, embodies this vulnerability yet doesn’t concern herself with being likable – a trait I deeply respect.

As a movie connoisseur, I’d put it this way: “Their bond is tinged with sorrow, you see. They might know more about each other than anyone else, yet they hide parts of themselves. They yearn for intimacy and recognize they should be closer, but somehow, they continue to miss the mark. In essence, they’re lonely, even amidst their family, striving for that elusive connection and a sense of belonging in life.

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

Highmore grins brightly, leaning in close for a secretive chat: “Absolutely! Although we’ve only been friends for ten years prior to this show, it seems like we’ve known each other forever.

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

Read More

2025-07-15 02:36