Abigail Hardingham – WILL

By starrymag | August 14, 2017

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

 

A) I’ve recently completed a handful of episodes on an US SYFY/Netflix show, which I have yet been given the go ahead to talk about.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Will.”

 

A) It’s a modernist take on 1589 London during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. A young upstart Will Shakespeare arrives to make his dream of becoming a playwright a reality. The religious and political takeover of the Protestant faith threaded throughout. It’s written by Craig Pearce, who added much of his anachronistic style to the piece.

 

Q) How was Moll originally described to you?

 

A) A gawky yet fiercely independent woman who works almost as a pimp to her wealthy and sexually liberated boss. She would be reluctant to fall in love but has a lot of love to give.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to her that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

 

A) I decided that she would have a more East end London accent rather than the neutral elevated accent that they proposed. I also had a chat with the costume department and we decided to add her own scissors and pin cushion to her costume when we realized she was the best dressed in the ensemble. (In my opinion!) It was added to the script later that she would go on to help the costume department at the theatre.

 

Q) What have you found challenging about portraying her?

 

A) The corsets.

 

Q) With such a large cast, is there anyone you haven’t worked with yet that you would like to share a scene with?

 

A) Ewan Bremner is iconic. I couldn’t talk to him for the first two weeks of rehearsals because I’m such a big fan. It’s a shame our characters never shared a scene together.

 

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments from filming “Will?”

 

A) So many memorable moments! Some of the boys played a prank on me when we were staying in an old hotel out in the Cotswolds, which is a very picturesque part of the country. The hotel staff told us the hotel was haunted by the Lord of the Manor who had owned it previously. Several of the boys scared me by hiding in different cupboards, etc. all over the hotel. The food and cocktails were also pretty good.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers learn about William Shakespeare after watching the series?

 

A) I don’t think the series is trying to preach or retell history so as to educate the viewers. But rather it is to entertain. “WILL” speculates on the human nature of one of history’s most elusive characters. We really know very little about him.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you enjoyed the instant fan feedback you have received to the series?

 

A) It’s always good to hear back from people who have watched and hopefully enjoyed the show.

 

Q) What have you personally taken away from working on the series?

 

A) I’ve learned that usually your gut instincts are right. I’ve learned to eat slowly when wearing a corset. I’ve also gained so many friends who I keep in touch with via our “WILL” whatsapp group chat. I fell in love with Olivia Dejonge and Jasmin Savoy Brown. They are such compassionate, smart and talented actors! Next season, I would personally like to see more woman in the show. The female perspective is so dynamic and we can do so much more than provide the love interest for the male counterparts to bounce off of.