Gillian Anderson- Actor of the Week

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson is a wonderful chameleon actress. She switches effortlessly from English to American accent, as she was brought up on both sides of the pond. She is not afraid to make herself look less than glamorous, although she has been voted one of the sexiest women on the planet a few times. And refreshingly, she just doesn't seem to care what anyone thinks of her. I have to say that I admire her a lot!

Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully in The X-Files

Although I wasn't a big fan of the show, you could not have lived through the 1990s without appreciating the fact that a huge audience were hooked on Scully and Mulder of The X-Files. Gillian was only 24 years old and a total unknown when she got the part of Dana Scully in 1993. Winner of an Emmy, a Golden Globe and 2 SAG awards for this role, she was a great strong role model for young women.

Gillian Anderson as Lily Bart in The House of Mirth

In her first period role, she rocked the part of Lily Bart in Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth. This is sitting in my DVD collection waiting to be watched again. This winter just hasn't been long or cold enough to watch all the films I need to see. This one will move to the top of the pile however. It is wonderful!

Gillian Anderson with Rob Brydon in Tristam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story

I have not yet seen Tristam Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story. I understand it is a bit unusual to say the least. A vehicle for the comic duo of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, it's a film-within-a-film about the essentially unfilmable novel Tristam Shandy (the 18th century "metafictional" novel). Anyone out there seen this one? People seem to either love it or hate it! I'll bet Gillian was good however.

Gillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock in Bleak House

I can however, wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend Bleak House, in large part because of Gillian Andersons amazing portrayal of Lady Dedlock. "Bored to death..."  If you haven't seen this stellar BBC production of Charles Dickens' Bleak House, you MUST see it. As it is a miniseries, you have to break it up over a few evenings, but you will have a hard time tearing yourself away from this one. Here is the link for my review of Bleak House.

Gillian Anderson and Tom Hollander as The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Any Human Heart

In the relatively small role of The Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson) in Any Human Heart she was, again, amazing. The miniseries was pretty good but not anything I really have to watch again soon.

Gillian Anderson as Mrs. Castaway in The Crimson Petal and the White

As a brothel owner in Victorian London, Anderson is almost unrecognizable. It looks like she had a bit of fun with this role and why not? This is a wonderful series but a bit gritty (OK, a lot gritty) so if that's not your cup of tea, take a swerve on this one. If you don't mind a bit of grit (and nudity) this one is awesome!

Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham in the latest BBC Great Expectations

As she was so good as Lady Dedlock, she was a natural for the role of Miss Havisham in Great Expectations. The Brits have seen this one already (and loved it) but we get it soon on PBS Masterpiece. Click here to read my teaser about The Battle of the Miss Havishams.

So there is a little look at Gillian Anderson and her forays into period drama. I'll bet there is lots more to come from this talented lady. Yay!

Romola Garai- Actor of the Week

Romola Garai

Romola Garai is a wonderful young English actress who has done many many period dramas in her short 29 years. She is right up there with Kate Winslet for the "Corset Queen of England" title!  For many of us, Daniel Deronda was our first exposure to her amazing talents.

Romola Garai as Gwendolen Harleth in Daniel Deronda

I think I may have to read Daniel Deronda now as I have just rewatched it and I am intrigued by Romola's character Gwendolen Harleth. Apparently F.R. Leavis (yes, THE literary critic referenced in Bridget Jones) thought that George Eliot's novel Daniel Deronda should have been named Gwendolen Harleth as the majority of the novel and all the interesting parts were about Gwendolen. Hmmmm...by the way, the dresses on Gwendolen/Romola alone make this wonderful miniseries worth watching. That and cutie Hugh Dancy! Hugh Bonneville as a baddie is pretty entertaining too.

Romola Garai in I Capture the Castle

I haven't yet seen I Capture the Castle (although just found out someone has posted it here on YouTube with the description of  "A love story set in 1930s England that follows 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain, and the fortunes of her eccentric family, struggling to survive in a decaying English castle." I think I know what I will be watching tonight! Sounds amazing.

Romola Garai as Amelia Sedley with Rhys Ifans as Dobbin in Vanity Fair

In Vanity Fair, Romola plays the good-natured, lovable but fairly simple Amelia Sedley.  Romola does a good job playing the sweet Amelia who refuses to see any of her friend Becky's or her husband's shortcomings although they have many! The film rather whitewashed the sharper aspects of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel, but it is very pretty to watch and Mira Nair gave it a lovely Indian feel in all the right places. I should watch this one again sometime soon I think as I haven't seen it since 2004!

Romola Garai as Barbara Spooner in Amazing Grace

In Amazing Grace, Romola plays the strong supportive wife of main character William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffud) in his mission to abolish slavery in the British Empire. Romola does her usual awesome job and makes you really think Wilberforce couldn't have done it without her!

Romola Garai as Briony Tallis in Atonement

As the grown up Briony Tallis in Atonement, she gets the sadness of the character and the regret just right. This is a love it or hate it film. Having just said that, I didn't love it or hate it...I was just meh!

Romola Garai as Emma with Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley

Well, Romola is my golden girl for her amazing protrayal of Emma. My sister and I will never agree on this one as Gwyneth Paltrow is her fave Emma (along with that entire version) but I have been totally converted to the 2009 version with Romola and Jonny. The chemistry between the two leads and the gorgeous locations, dresses, interiors, music...I could go on and on and on. I love this miniseries and Romola Garai is one of the main reasons. Her facial expressions make me laugh out loud and break my heart. Sigh!!!

Romola Garai as Victorian prostitute Sugar in The Crimson Petal and the White

As a Victorian prostitute, Romola is transfixing in this gritty portrayal of the seedy underbelly of London in the 1870s. Not family fare by any means, but if your taste runs to the more realistic and, again I have to say, gritty, this one is fabulous. There is nudity (which considering the plot is quite necessary). In this one, you can practically smell the stench on the street. I hope it wins some awards...BAFTA?

Romola Garai in The Hour

Romola scored one of three Golden Globe nominations for her role as television producer Bel Rowley in the 1950s era drama series The Hour. I haven't been able to get my hands on this one (also starring Ben Whishaw, Anna Chancelor, Domenic West and Juliette Stevenson) I am eager to see it. Romola must have done something pretty good to catch the eye of the Hollywood Foreign Press.

So really, I can't wait to see what Romola Garai does in her 30s as she has already made her mark. You go girl!