Sex Education star Asa Butterfield reveals why his new Netflix drama role is a “real departure”

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Unchosen is a tense and unsettling drama focusing on a strict religious group in the UK called the Fellowship. The story centers on Rosie (Molly Windsor), who is having difficulties in her marriage to Adam (Asa Butterfield), a prominent member favored by the group’s influential leader, Mr. Phillips (Christopher Eccleston). Filmed with a dark and atmospheric style, the series explores Rosie’s struggles within this closed community.

The arrival of a mysterious man named Sam, portrayed by Fra Fee, throws Molly and Adam’s beliefs into question and causes major problems for the entire group. The show explores what it’s like to play a member of this community, and whether the actors playing the leads can understand why someone would be drawn to it.

Asa Butterfield plays Adam

This felt like a significant change from my usual work and how people see me. I’ve been wanting to showcase my versatility for a few years now, and this was a deliberate step in that direction.

How would you describe Adam?

He’s torn between his religious beliefs and his love for his wife. While he usually prioritizes his faith, this creates distance in their relationship and fuels feelings of guilt and self-loathing about his sexuality. He’s a deeply unhappy character who makes some terrible choices, so the difficult part of telling his story was uncovering his underlying humanity.

While the story is made up, I was inspired by a BBC documentary about the Bruderhof, a Christian community in the UK. It felt like going back in time, and I based the character of Adam partly on one of the men I saw there – he had a very precise, almost mechanical way of doing things. Adam is driven by a lot of fear, because he believes his feelings are wrong and go against everything he was taught. He really tries to be a good member of the community and live according to their beliefs – maybe even more than anyone else – all while secretly hiding something that deeply troubles him. That internal conflict is incredibly damaging.

Could you imagine yourself in a sect?

But if you were a leader, would you be a charismatic Christopher Eccleston-type?

I’ve always been confident in my ability to communicate, likely thanks to my dad’s work as a copywriter and my mom being a psychologist. I grew up in a family where open communication was encouraged, especially when dealing with difficult topics. However, I never imagined how those skills might connect to something like a cult.

Molly Windsor plays Rosie

What’s Rosie like?

She’s a kind person with a strong sense of right and wrong, but she’s going through a lot. Growing up in a strict religious community, she’s starting to question her beliefs, and then she meets someone who challenges her even further. I really connected with her struggle to realize that not everyone around her has her best interests at heart.

It’s a high-concept series – but is it still relatable?

Across all societies, women commonly face challenges like being ignored, lacking control over their own lives, and feeling restricted in their choices.

From Three Girls to this, you seem drawn to dark roles.

For me, work is always about more than just the task itself. I need to connect with the stories and genuinely believe in the people within them. These particular projects deal with weighty subjects, but I’m also eager to take on something lighter and fun – a comedy, perhaps.

Was there any light relief on set?

Every job has its challenges, and this one was no different – we spent a lot of time filming in cold, wet conditions. I really wanted to keep things lighthearted for Olivia Pickering, who plays my on-screen daughter, Grace. Whenever the rain machine started and I was feeling tired or frustrated, we’d do a silly little dance to try and cheer ourselves up.

Do you think that you could live in a sect?

Life feels good when basic needs are met and you don’t have to stress about things like housing or social media. When someone like Rosie faces a difficult time, the women in her community rally around her, creating a strong feeling of support and care.

Would you lead or follow?

If someone wasn’t completely in control, they might not have followed instructions. However, my research suggests that was unusual. Even what Rosie wore was picked out for her.

Fra Fee plays Sam

Sam was sent to prison at sixteen after a tragic incident in Ireland involving a young girl. His connection with Rosie is complicated and echoes the feelings he has about the girl he left behind – it’s troubled, but also holds a sense of innocence. His relationship with Adam, however, is based purely on what Sam can gain; he’s clever and quickly realizes Adam is hiding his true desires, something the others haven’t noticed.

Do you think The Fellowship reflects our society?

We watched the first episode shortly after Louis Theroux’s documentary about the ‘manosphere’ aired, which featured individuals expressing deeply offensive views about women. This show gives you a real sense of the harmful consequences that can occur when those beliefs translate into the mistreatment and control of women.

You grew up in Northern Ireland – was the politics of religion something that you were aware of?

I was raised Catholic and, looking back, it’s shocking to admit we were taught to see Protestants as fundamentally different from us – almost like another species. When I shared this with my university friends in Manchester, they were completely stunned.

Could you imagine yourself being in a sect?

There’s a real draw to the feeling of belonging you get with the Fellowship – it’s warm, loving, and creates a strong sense of community. I struggle with being constantly connected to my phone and watching too much television, and it bothers me how much we all consume. Sometimes I just want to simplify things, grow my own food, and focus on helping others.

Do you think you would be a leader or a follower?

I’m definitely not a leader; I just want to focus on simple things like gardening and baking. I have no desire to tell anyone what to do.

Authors

Stephen Armstrong

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2026-04-20 20:15