Isis Davis – The Secret Garden

By starrymag | September 28, 2020

By: Kelly Kearney

 

 

Q) You play Martha, in the new adaptation of The Secret Garden. For the few who aren’t familiar with this story, tell us a little bit about Martha and how she fits into this story.

 

A) Martha is the maid assigned to Mary (Dixie Egerickx) when she arrives at Misslethwaite. Martha’s younger brother Dickon (Amir Wilson) also works on the grounds. Martha is friendly and kind and is naturally protective of those she cares about, but at the same time she stands for no nonsense.

 

 

Q) How would you describe the relationship between Martha and the main character Mary, played by Dixie Egerickx?

 

A) Martha is really excited to have a child in the house, but when she first meets Mary she is taken aback by her impertinence. Mary starts off disliking Martha, but she grows very fond of her as they get closer and even defends her in front of Mrs Medlock (Julie Walters). The relationship between the two starts with a cold and dismissiveness from Mary towards Martha and Martha responds to Mary’s attitude with directness, whilst keeping in her own lane. As the film goes on, we watch their relationship develop into something beautiful, much like a garden flower blooming.  Mary learns a lot from Martha and realizes that she can’t treat people the way she has been until now.  Martha is the only adult that Mary has to talk to and she grows to respect and look up to her and, ultimately, cherish Martha being in her life.

 

 

Q) Besides the phenomenally mature performance, Dixie brought to the Mary role, you also starred opposite legendary screen actors Julie Walters and Colin Firth. Were there moments on set, either in scenes or rehearsals, where you found yourself soaking in their talent? Did you take anything from those moments that helped guide you in your own performance?

 

A) On my first day I stood by and watched Julie rehearsing a scene and it was like watching an acting Masterclass. She is effortless, she completely embodies the character and just becomes Mrs. Medlock. Both Colin and Julie are consummate professionals; they walk onto set, they deliver what is asked of them and they leave.  They are an absolute pleasure to work with, welcoming, down to earth and engaging whilst being everything you want two British screen icons to be; hugely talented, gracious in their delivery and soaked entirely in their ability to bring their characters to life.

 

 

Q) How was your working relationship with director Marc Munden? Did he give you a say in how Martha came to life or was it all in the script?

 

A) I had worked with Marc not too long before working on The Secret Garden, so I was really excited to be working with him again. Marc is generous in the rehearsal process, forthcoming and direct and an absolute delight to work with both on and off set. Marc gave me the freedom to play the Martha that I saw, whilst discussing together his very clear vision of who Martha is to him and how Jack [Thorne] had written her into this adaptation of the story.

 

 

Q) What sets this more modern version of The Secret Garden apart from others in the past, and what would you say is going to be the draw for viewers who are already familiar with this story?

 

A) This is an adaptation of a story that we all know and love. It is not a carbon copy of what’s been put on screen previously. It’s a new version, a modern retelling, a unique picture of an adored story and it brings its own energy and its own identity to the collection of illustrations of The Secret Garden. This version of the film is Mary’s story. We see the world through Mary’s eyes, those around her, those who have left her, the home she came from and the house she finds herself in.  The film is visually beautiful, the colors and the sheer immersion into nature is breathtaking.  The energy of the children that carry the body of the story will completely draw the audience in, and as they take you through their journey to the garden, led by Mary, you find yourself utterly lost in their world.

 

 

Q) What has been the most rewarding part of stepping into Martha’s shoes?

 

A) Being the first mixed race woman to play the role of Martha makes me proud beyond words! It’s everything, as this iconic role is known and loved by so many millions of people over several generations. I loved this book as a child and to now be playing such an important character in the story is incredibly special and I feel very proud and honored to have taken my own piece of The Secret Garden into my heart to carry on my journey. Now, reading the book to my own children has a whole new level of reward as I can tell them all about the Martha that I know.

 

 

Q) When it comes to acting, artists often look for something relatable or similarity between themselves and their character. Martha was more than a housekeeper. She guided the children from rotten to respectable. Was there anyone from your real life, or maybe a trait in Martha you recognized in yourself, that inspired your performance?

 

A) Having a Jamaican immigrant mother, I grew up in a family that believed that children do not talk back to adults, so I immediately recognized Martha’s surprise at Mary’s directness to her elders. Like Martha, I grew up in a large family. In the original story Martha is the eldest of twelve children so is well practiced at nurturing the younger siblings; I too looked after many of my younger cousins and close relatives so showing that keenness to nurture in Martha came with ease. I also have an inbuilt understanding of the expectation from a young age to contribute to the household, complete chores and work hard in life without complaint and all of these strands of character I bought to the Martha that you see me portray in this film.

 

 

Q) Besides acting, you are also a successful writer and was recently added to the writer’s room for the critically acclaimed fan favorite, “Killing Eve.” How did that opportunity land in your lap and when do you start on the new season?

 

A) That’s right, I am currently storylining for Season Four of “Killing Eve.” I am a fan of the show so I’m thrilled to be on the Writing Team and am so proud to work with such talented writers, as well as such a hands-on team of producers and execs. The team at Sid Gentle have known me for a while and approached me at the beginning of the year about being on board for the new season and then COVID-19 struck and put a spanner in everyone’s works. So, as soon as they had worked out the formula to working a smooth-running online Writers Room, I got the call and jumped on board during lockdown.

 

 

Q) Which came first – the love of the written word or the love of acting? Do you gravitate more toward one than the other?

 

A) I have trusted the written word for longer than I can remember. Throughout my younger years I wrote poems and stories as a release from my worries and struggles and never really placed any weight on it; it was just something that I did. Years later as part of my Performing Arts Degree I was in a show at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and I decided to write my own show and take it back there the following year.   Following on from that I performed it at The Soho Theatre, my one woman show “This Is Who I Am!” I had incredible interest not just as an actor but as a writer and from there the ball rolled in both directions. It certainly hasn’t all happened over night, but forming relationships, working hard and keeping consistent is now really starting to prove its worth.  I can’t see myself not having them both in my life. I give as much to one as the other. They are both rewarding in different ways.  I am as much an actor, as I am a writer.

 

 

Q) What is next for you, Isis? Are you working on any projects the fans can keep an eye out for?

 

A) I have numerous projects on the go at the moment, amongst them, a new series for Sky 1. Although, sadly, I am not in a position to give details on any of them at this stage. But whilst 2020 has been a very tough year in many ways for us all, I’m thankful that for me the ball is still rolling and I can’t wait for you all to see what’s coming next.

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to all the supportive fans and followers of your work?

 

A) Well, to hear you say “fans” seems alien to me as I’m just over here with my head down working as hard as I can in two streams of a career that I am fortunate to absolutely adore. What I would say to those who have shown support and followed my journey so far is firstly, thank you. Secondly, this is still just the beginning, there is so much more to come.   Anyone who knows my journey knows it has not been an easy ride but hard work, determination and commitment really do pay off.