Tom Bateman explains how key Succession character inspired his performance in Hedda

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You can now stream Nia DaCosta’s fresh take on the classic play Hedda Gabler on Prime Video. It features a fantastic performance by Tessa Thompson in the lead role, and you can watch it all from home.

Thompson isn’t alone in the film, as it features a strong supporting cast. Tom Bateman plays Hedda’s husband, George, a role many actors have tackled before. Interestingly, Bateman drew inspiration for his portrayal not from previous Georges, but from the character Tom Wambsgans in the show Succession.

I saw a lot of conflicting traits in this character. He’s often portrayed as a bit of a fool, someone people laugh at, but there’s also a hidden anger and a tendency to bully others. Beneath it all, he’s driven by a strong desire to succeed and be recognized, but also to feel better than everyone else.

I told Nia about it, and she just said, ‘Oh!’ Then she quickly flipped through her notes and I saw she’d actually written his name down. I was completely shocked.

Bateman explained that he was already very enthusiastic about the role, but discovering that the director, DaCosta, had the same vision for the character solidified his decision to accept it.

What really struck me was how brilliantly Matthew Macfadyen played the character. It could have easily been a simple, one-dimensional role, but he found so much depth and explored the character’s darker, more complex side, bringing him to life.

Nicholas Pinnock plays Judge Roland Brack in this production. While he didn’t base his performance on any other characters like Bateman did, he was fascinated by how the script by DaCosta revealed previously unseen sides to Brack’s personality.

Pinnock said he was familiar with the character Brack from the play, and always thought Brack was overshadowed by George. He believed Brack had more to offer in terms of the plot and the characters’ interactions.

He explained that setting the entire story during a single party allowed the character to be in a situation where he felt comfortable and successful.

He explained that Nia’s writing was excellent. He didn’t need to draw on any previous characters or roles to understand how to play Brack, because the script already provided everything he needed.

Imogen Poots, who plays Thea Clifton in the movie, said there was a specific scene in the script that made her know she had to take the part.

I was particularly moved by a scene in the screenplay where Thea is by herself when she first enters the bedroom in the upstairs house,” she explained.

She dramatically took off her wedding ring and tossed it, hoping it would land in the fire. I immediately thought, ‘That’s a great idea!’ It was a really compelling image and sparked the idea for a character.

Throughout the story, the character transforms from someone shy and overlooked into a person who trusts her gut and follows her instincts – a stark contrast to another character, Hedda. It was fascinating to build someone with those qualities!

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2025-10-29 13:34