Emily Blunt reveals why she took on her first role behind the camera for The English

Virgin Radio

10 Nov 2022, 15:52

Emily Blunt is pulling double duty in her new period drama, The English, which begins tonight (Thursday 10th November) on BBC Two. 

Not only does she star as a gun-slinging mother on a mission in the gritty western, but she is also behind the camera as an executive producer, marking her first time in such a role. 

On the screen, The A Quiet Place star plays Lady Cornelia Locke in the western, which takes place in America in the 1890s, where the aristocrat journeys across the lawless landscape in the US. 

She’s joined by Pawnee ex-cavalry scout Eli Whipp, played by Chaske Spencer, and the two join forces to make the perilous journey together. 

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press ahead of the launch, Emily shared why The English felt like the perfect project to make her exec producer debut, and revealed if it’s kick-started a desire to be behind the lens for any more small screen adventures. 

The actress explained: “This project had captured my heart and I was fully absorbed and immersed in every aspect of it. I think I've been around the block a long time and I'm not just interested in the acting side of things. I love creating stories. I love helping and aiding in any way I can with the structure of it. 

“I think it made sense in this experience because it was sent to me as a pilot, it was sent to me in its birth form. I adored [writer] Hugo [Blick] immediately. There was a very welcome invitation from him for me to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him the whole way. And I think in Hugo creatively, I've found such a kindred spirit.”

Speaking about the potential for more producer roles, Emily added: “Hugo’s sort of spoiled me for future collaborations. I've always given all of myself to every project I've done but this one is the closest to my heart.”

Also in the chat, Emily explained why she jumped at the chance to portray Cornelia, and how it felt taking on her first western role.

“I was completely captivated by it,” she explained “I knew after the first couple of pages, I was doing it. I love a character with a secret. I love a character where there's a mystery. And she just felt so surprising for me.

“She shows up in this brutal masculine dust bath of a world and seems completely ill prepared for the journey ahead. I just had so many questions like why is she still so hopeful? What's this courage within her? What's going on? Why is she there? Who's the guy she's after? What happened to her son?

The English begins tonight (Thursday 10th November) at 9pm on BBC2. All episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.