TV & Film
And why comedy is where she is most comfortable.
She wishes she had been able to share the experience with best friend Mescal, she tells me.
The London-born actor was a fan of the Marvel star long before their first meeting.
I lovedhis performance inI, Tonya, she tells me.
The professional admiration was mutual.
In response, Daisy quips: I paid him to say that.
[Warning: Spoilers ahead.]
(Relatable, right?)
He feels like perfect, but a romantic weekend away changes everything.
Steve drugs and kidnaps Noa, before introducing her to his strangely-acquired eating habit: cannibalism.
The fresher the meat, the better [it tastes], he casually informs her.
I wonder how Edgar-Jones felt upon first reading this gruesome reveal in the script.
I hadnt known what the film was really about, she admits.
Thats right, there are no shining knights in this story: the women are their own heroes.
How did you navigate those scenes with Sebastian?
We played it in a number of ways before settling on how to do it.
Noas initial instinct is to deny its happening, and pretend its a joke.
We [women] tend to go, Theres no way this is happening right now.
It was a really tricky one to do, and quite exhausting, as well.
If we hadnt nailed that moment, then we wouldnt have earned the rest of the film.
The intimacy scenes between Sebastian and Noa are brief, but the fight scenes are lengthy and all-consuming.
Tell me, how did you prepare for that?
We did stunt rehearsals, and it was really fun.
Id never done proper stunts before this.
Sebastian has been in Marvel films for over a decade, hes so good at all of that stuff.
It was good to watch him in action.
[Laughs] What I really like about those scenes is theyre quite funny, too.
Theyre not going to be trained and ready to go.
His face is completely swollen and disfigured.
Hes pathetic, and I love that we leave him that way.
Talk about reality biting back.
Its such a visual moment when we see the blood dripping down her face.
I imagine its like nothing youve ever filmed before, is that fair to say?
It was definitely the strangest costume and make-up Iveeverworn.
I write in a sentence-a-day diary, with this years entry written underneath last years memories.
Its so funny looking back at what I wrote.
Its like, bloody hell, that was a mad experience.
There are two spontaneous dance scenes between Noa and Steve.
Were they awkward to film, and how much was improvised?
The first one, when theyre on a date, that was all improvised.
It was fun, and, yes, I did feel very awkward, but that worked for Noa!
She had a really specific vision for how we would move.
We had a short routine which we rehearsed, and I loved it.
The other scenes were quite heavy, so it was fun to have a little dance.
Cannibalism aside, this film offers quite an accurate portrait of the mundanity of todays dating scene.
In the beginning, we see Noa mindlessly swiping through the profiles of potential suitors.
Did you resonate with that depiction of modern dating?
It was definitely something I was interested in exploring.
This weird consumerist idea of how we now date.
We swipe left as though were looking for a new pair of socks.
[Laughs] We become a page or a profile, and thats all we are, really.
Noas first date feels incredibly authentic.
From the awkward exchange about paying the bill to how he doesnt handle her rejection well.
But I especially liked the inclusion of Noas rushed, scared walk to her car afterwards.
Did you base that on any real-life dating disasters or conversations with friends?
That scene of her walking alone at night was so subtle and well observed.
Its something my friends and I talk about.
Its become so normalised that we [women] live with this fear.
It was great how that scene ended with his scarf dipping in the noodles.
There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments inFresh.
Were you eager to explore the comedy within the gory storyline?
I wassoexcited to dive into a comedy.
BeforeNormal People, I mostly did guest roles in comedy series likeCold FeetandOutnumbered.
Comedy is where I feel most comfortable.
I enjoyed being able to just be funny and improvise.
How did you enjoy the female unity and empowerment aspect to this story?
Ultimately, thats what helped the women overcome Steve.
Im interested to know if you think theres a deeper meaning toFresh.
If yes, what would you say it is?
It will resonate with everyone in a different way, so Im excited to see how everyone reacts.
You mentioned experiencing all of theNormal Peoplehysteria online rather than in-person.
A little part of my brain was like, Is this even real?
Everyone is lovely about it.
For people to still feel that way, almost two years later, is wild to me.
If the opportunity arose, definitely!
Playing Marianne was one of the biggest joys of my life.
To do it again would be amazing.
Pauls one of my best friends.
It launched both of our careers, and I feel so lucky that we were together for that experience.
