Wired: Jodie Whittaker interview
Jodie Whittaker plays Louise Evans
How would you describe your character Louise Evans?
She’s a young single mum, who’s recently been promoted at work. She’s in her early twenties and bringing up a child on her own, so she’s quite a strong, fiery character. She’s not a victim in any way.
Do you think that you’re similar to the character of Louise?
Not really, I think that her reactions are quite different to mine; if I was put in the same situations as her, my decisions would be a lot different. It’s all about your background I suppose and how you’ve been brought up.
What is her relationship like with Erica’s Father?
She hasn’t got a relationship with him. He had an extra-marital affair with her, but wanted to keep it as just a bit of fun, so when this 20-year-old girl he’d been sleeping with suddenly turned round and said, ‘I’m pregnant and I’m going to keep it’, it didn’t get a good reaction. They did a scam together where they stole money from the bank, and I think that that was kind of to set her up; he had no intention of leaving his wife, and she was all alone with a child.
What is her background with Anna?
It’s not a childhood friendship, but it’s deep enough that they consider each other best friends and they confide in each other. Anna supports her and Erica; she’s the one who put her forward for the promotion, and even though they’ve only known each other about 4 or 5 years, they are really close.
What is Louise’s first impression of Crawford?
Her first contact with him is when she goes to the bar, and he has a little flirt with her, obviously at that point she doesn’t know about his job! I think her first impression of him is that he’s from a completely different world from her. I think it gives her a real confidence boost a guy like that coming on to her.
What attracted you to the role of Louise Evans?
There are not that many scripts for strong, fiery woman as the lead. She’s not meek or mild in any way and I really like that. Also, getting chucked out of windows and being chased by gangsters is a million miles away from my life, so it’s really exciting playing such a heightened role. I’m 26, I’m from Huddersfield, and I’ve no idea what it’s like being involved in the criminal underworld, so it’s fantastic.
Are there any memorable moments from filming on set?
I think Toby Stephens is possibly the funniest person I’ve ever worked with. He’s absolutely hilarious. He’s got such a fun energy about him; he always had the costume and makeup people in hysterics. He’s a very intense performer, but it just makes him so layered as an actor.