Jessica Ellerby – Pennyworth

By starrymag | September 1, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) A lovely short film This Time Away where I play Timothy Spall’s estranged daughter in a beautiful and touching story about grief. It’s just won two awards at LA Shorts International Fest and been nominated for a whole host of other film festivals internationally. It’s an incredible achievement, not least because its only Director Magali Barbe’s second ever short – she’s definitely one to watch! Short/independent films are such a lovely way to work on projects driven with passion and people who are really excited about their craft. It’s something I’d like to do more of!

 

Most notably I recently finished shooting on “Pennyworth,” which I’ve been filming on and off since last November when we shot the pilot.

 

And aside from that, I’ve been auditioning for the next job! It’s a period that often gets pretty bad press (the rejection, the uncertainty, etc., etc.) but can arguably be one of the most freely creative we get as actors. Everything at that stage is entirely down to your own interpretation – you’re not adhering to the visions of networks/directors/producers just yet so you pretty much get free rein which is fun. It’s also the most engaged in the industry you get to be – reading lots of scripts; seeing what stories are currently being told and getting the chance to create lots of new characters in new worlds week to week. It’s a lull I used to dread but the longer I’ve been working it’s become a time that reminds me why I love doing what I do.

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the new series “Pennyworth.”

 

A) It’s an origins story about Batman’s butler Alfred Pennyworth. Set in London in the early 60’s – but in an alternate reality. London isn’t quite as we know it historically. It’s all slightly skewed; much darker, much grittier and a real landscape of post-war unrest.

 

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

 

A) I’ve wanted to do a period drama for a really long time and having the opportunity to play such an iconic role in one was a no brainer. The scripts have also been fantastic from the get go (I couldn’t put them down!) and great writing is always the biggest pull.

 

 

Q) You play Queen Elizabeth II. How much research did you have to do for your portrayal?

 

A) Well, as I say, it’s not a direct representation of our own reality so there was a little wiggle room for interpretation. She’s got a fair bit of Princess Margaret in her if I’m honest – slightly more relaxed and vehement.

 

But, as a starting point, I watched as much of Queen Elizabeth online as I could – both past and present so I had a point of reference for both dialect and mannerisms to build from. However, there’s actually not all that much of her younger years apart from her first televised Christmas speech – so that was a real go to for me! I did a fair bit of work on dialect as well as I think it’s unmistakably identifiable of her. I’d go through my lines with a fine-tooth comb and then walk around the house chatting away to myself while doing the washing up or laundry.

 

I also have an amazing dialect coach that I work with who found some archived audio of both a young Elizabeth and Margaret. She’d help me tweak things from time to time and generally reassure me what I was doing wasn’t totally pants!

 

 

Q) What did you find challenging about your role?

 

A) Making her historically recognizable, but also keeping her in the world of “Pennyworth” and honoring what Bruno [Heller] had written. Sometimes the two things seemed in juxtaposition, but that’s what makes the show so exciting and it was my job to make the two unify.

 

 

Q) When it came to getting into character, did it take donning your costume to fully find her? 

 

A) Well, the first scene I shot was in full crown and regalia sat on a throne, so that certainly helped find some regality straight off the bat! I’ve always loved dressing up (I used to have a dressing up box in my bedroom growing up and I’m convinced it was the catalyst for my choice of profession!), so putting on totally different clothes always elevates things for me, yes. And there’s a totally different feel in period costume – there’s a real restriction that we’re not used to in our everyday modern clothing (that we just take for granted). There’s boning in the dresses and fabric with absolutely no give and all that makes you feel and move slightly differently.

 

But getting into character is always a combination of things for me. I also had to sit in the makeup chair and talk like her a little before getting on set. And then if there was time in my trailer, I’d watch her speech or reference some photos. And then it all sort of comes together when you step onto the amazing sets and you feel plunged into the world in a much more 3D sense.

 

 

Q) Talk about working with Jack Bannon.

 

A) Ah Jack – he’s such a babe. I actually met him on a night out with friends a few months before “Pennyworth” even started casting. So, it was nice to see a friendly face at the first read-through!

He’s totally professional, unflappable and ever the gent.  It’s a huge responsibility to be number one on the call sheet and he took it all in his stride like an old pro.

 

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Pennyworth?”

 

A) Thrones and crowns aside, I had to shoot a gun in one episode and was sent to a shooting range for the day to learn how to operate a rifle. The weapons in that place were next level! I was pretty tentative to start off with, but basically walked away thinking I was GI Jane.

 

 

Q) What did you personally take away from your time on this series?

 

A) I wouldn’t say it’s exclusive to this job, more a cumulative takeaway the more I work, and that’s work hard, do what’s expected of you and more and be nicer than is necessary. Everyone is working their tits off to make something great and as actors we often get treated the best. So, do everything you can to make everyone else’s job easier and their day a little nicer.

 

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll receive to the show?

 

A) Ha! It’s not something that I ever give any thought to, to be honest! I’m on social, but I’m a bit old school when it comes to it all – I’d swap my iPhone for a Nokia 6210 in a heartbeat!

 

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

 

A) I can’t say I’m aware of a fan base, but if there are some closet supporters out there I guess: thank you! We all need champions no matter what field of life, so thanks for somehow having found me and giving me the thumbs up!