The Assassin writers tease ‘funny mother-son dynamic with a bunch of dead bodies thrown in’

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Actress Keeley Hawes and actor Freddie Highmore appear in “The Assassin,” a gripping new thriller on Amazon Prime Video, penned by screenwriting duo Harry and Jack Williams, who are also known for “The Tourist.

In a new role, Hawes portrays a character named Julie, a previously active assassin who has since retired. Simultaneously, Highmore takes on the part of Edward, their estranged son, oblivious to his mother’s past profession. As they are in the process of rekindling their relationship, events from Julie’s past resurface, forcing them to flee together for safety.

In an exclusive conversation, TopMob had a video chat with the Williams brothers as part of our interview series titled “TopMob Creative Conversations”. During this discussion, they revealed the roots of their thrilling series and the sources that inspired them to create it.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “I penned the script not too long after The Tourist graced our screens, but it took quite some time for it to come to life. I’ve been eager to explore a mother-son dynamic for a while now, and I found their estrangement amusingly intriguing.

This type of relationship isn’t commonly portrayed in dramas, and when it is, it often leans towards intense and quite formal. As a primary couple, it’s not typical to find shows with this specific mood at their core.

Or, simply:

Unusual for dramas, the central pairing often comes off as serious and formal if portrayed at all. It’s rare to encounter shows where this tone is dominant in the relationship dynamics.

Harry remarked, “Typically, it’s the father who becomes emotionally detached, isn’t it? It’s not often the mother and the son.

That immediate sensation struck us as intriguing, and the back-and-forth conversation reminiscent of “Private Lives,” with its mix of cruelty and deep affection between the characters, proved immensely captivating for us.

It’s due to its immense comedic potential that it’s appealing. Humor often lies in the dynamic between individuals who have conflicting interactions.

Then, let’s place it among the deceased, I believe that’s the key ingredient for our stew-like concoction.

In another conversation within their “The TopMob Writers’ Room”, they discussed their projects, which included writing for series like The Missing and Boat Story, along with their production roles in shows such as Fleabag.

In the interview series, they are the second individuals to be featured, coming after Mark Gatiss, who recently sat down with us to discuss his latest project titled “Bookish.

You can catch the complete Harry and Jack Williams’s interview, featured in The TopMob Writers’ Room, this coming Friday, 25th July.

On this coming Friday, the 25th of July, ‘The Assassin’ will make its debut on Amazon Prime Video. If you’d like to catch it, consider signing up today for a complimentary 30-day trial with Prime Video.

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2025-07-25 14:54