Thursday 20 March 2014

Screen Testing Aidan Turner? Writer Discusses 'Poldark' in Regular Q&A

Terrific news!

Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield is doing a monthly Question and Answer session for fans of the show with Winston Graham - Author of Poldark. This will give YOU the chance to ask her what's on your mind.
In the first Q&A Debbie talks about when they'll know if they can dramatise more books, why the differing reports of six or eight episodes and, of course, Aidan Turner.


Here's what Debbie has to say when asked about screen-testing Aidan.

We didn't screen-test anyone else. I normally don't think about casting while I'm writing the scripts but it became clear to me during the middle of last year that we would need someone pretty spectacular to take on the role of Ross. Someone who could convey the complexity of the part, look the part, be young enough to play a man in his early twenties but who could, if all went well and we were fortunate enough to be able to do all 12 books, convincingly play the Ross of later years. Who had the ability, the charisma, the look (I was struck by Winston Graham's description of Ross's 'unusual face with its strongly set cheekbones, wide mouth and large strong white teeth'!) to take on such a formidable task? I had a short-list of one. Mammoth Managing Director Damien Timmer had had exactly the same thought. We didn't screen test Aidan. We knew his work. We knew he was perfect. We sent him the scripts. He loved them. There was never anyone else in the frame.

You can read the full interview here at Winston Graham Author Q&A 
And do send in your questions ready for next time. Now, what shall I ask...?


6 comments:

  1. The link to Winston Graham Author Q&A doesn't work.

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  2. It should be fine now. Thanks so much for letting me know :-)

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  3. Thanks for the link, Evie. It's a great initiative on the part of Debbie and the production company to keep us updated in this way.

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  4. Absolutely! Times really are a-changing! Production companies used to think that it would take the magic out of their programmes if we knew how the shows were made. Now they realise that it allows us all to 'buy in' to the show. And, of course, social media is at the helm of this.
    I agree, this is a great move by Debbie. Have you heard her Poldark interview? I think she's a real asset to the publicity machine http://poldarked1.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/writer-of-new-series-talks-poldark.html

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    1. Yes, I have thanks. I'm hoping for some on set photos as well- been spoilt by Peter Jackson and his video blogs......

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  5. I've got my fingers crossed we will be able to see it here in sweden aswell. :)

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