Roy Williams on revamping The Great Gatsby with Ncuti Gatwa: ‘I didn’t want to repeat the same story’

It was an obvious choice for playwright Roy Williams when Radio 3 asked him to adapt F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby into a drama.

However, the playwright behind the critically acclaimed Death of England stage-play trilogy, who hails from London, and is known for his long-running Radio 4 series The Interrogation and Faith, Hope and Charity, was equally determined to offer a new perspective and inject novelty into the narrative, while exploring the intricacies of the American Dream in an unconventional way.

Initially, he re-read the book, yet a thought was gradually taking shape within him: “I felt an intuitive urge about how I wanted to narrate it,” he expressed. “I had no desire to simply retell the same tale that has been told numerous times before.

In contrast to the usual setting of Long Island, New York, this audio drama is situated in vibrant Harlem. While the characters continue to grapple with their deeply rooted ambitions and emotional scars, they are portrayed as African-American individuals instead of Caucasian ones.

Williams extensively studied the socio-economic position of African Americans during the 1920s and deeply incorporated the essence of the Harlem Renaissance, a movement born from countless individuals migrating from the southern states in search of escape from the oppressive Jim Crow laws that mandated racial segregation.

Williams proposed that the production company, Granny Eats Wolf, consider an ambitious lineup of up-and-coming British actors for the cast: Ncuti Gatwa (currently Doctor Who), for the role of Jay Gatsby; Gugu Mbatha-Raw (known from Loki and Surface), as Daisy Buchanan; and Malachi Kirby (previously seen in Roots, Small Axe and Steven Knight’s upcoming drama A Thousand Blows), for the part of Nick Carraway.

Williams admitted, “During our conversation about the cast, I genuinely believed those were my top picks, but I never imagined we’d actually land them. When I received the email confirming they had all agreed, I was utterly astonished!

In the original F. Scott Fitzgerald novel as well as this adaptation, it’s Nick Carraway, rather than Gatsby, who is central to the storytelling, and among all the cast members, Malachi Kirby spent the most time in the studio during filming.

Williams mentions that Carraway is the one behind the wheel, and he aimed to convey this in his adaptation. They spent approximately a week recording it, with Ncuti and Gugu finishing their parts within two days. However, Malachi was present for the entire week. He’s an exceptionally talented young actor, as are all of them, and it’s delightful to have such gifted young black performers participating in a BBC radio drama.

“These guys are seriously in demand. And they’re all obscenely nice people!”

As a movie enthusiast, I must share a crucial aspect about a film I recently watched – although the actors are delightful, it’s essential to note that certain language in the script may be troubling for some viewers, particularly the use of the derogatory ‘n-word.’ I can’t help but wonder if Williams felt at ease employing this racially charged slur during filming.

In simpler terms, I’d prefer not to use that specific word, but I felt compelled to employ it to underscore the unique experiences and identities of African Americans. I couldn’t overlook its presence, and when I did use the term, it was always spoken by a black character in my work. This choice was deliberate because I wanted to tackle not only the overt racism from white people but also the subtler forms within the black community itself, which is also represented in the drama.

Is this adaptation a tribute to black literature and performance, and does Williams think sufficient advancement is happening in the UK at present? However, he feels we’re merely taking baby steps, and there isn’t much room for self-congratulations. Much more work needs to be done, as there are still numerous dimensions that require exploration. It’s about discovering the richness, the grit beneath the surface, regardless of the world you choose to write about. Delve deeper, unearth the complexities and layers, and that’s where you’ll find a compelling story.

Are there any similarities you notice between Gatsby’s 1920s world and contemporary U.S. politics? Could we say that the American Dream persists even today? “Despite being disheartened by the [recent presidential] election outcome, I found it intriguing – specifically how many women and minorities supported Trump. In spite of everything, they continued to vote for him. They still yearn for a slice of the American Dream and believe he can help them achieve it. It’s deeply engrained within their mindset.

William’s work is extraordinary; he’s crafted an intelligent, compassionate, and emotionally resonant adaptation of a timeless tale. Delving deeply into its essence, he’s unearthed hidden depths and offered a fresh, personal perspective on the ideal known as the American Dream.

2025-01-07 04:42

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