'Renegade 7' (9:00 pm), the new series to ITV, has taken the television scene by storm. Viewers can't get enough of this dystopian mystery drama, and neither can we! We were lucky enough to have Lyra actress, Ellyn, speak with us here at ____ Magazine about her rise to stardom and her experience with working on this hit show:
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So, obviously you must be pretty
excited to be working on your first role in the TV industry? How are you finding
the world of production?
Honestly, I’m still overwhelmed. After the first few shoots I
figured that the buzz would have worn off, but I was totally wrong. It’s
demanding, I won’t lie, but I’m still convinced that it’s too much fun for me
to call it a proper ‘job’.
I’m sure. Just how pleased were you
to have been casted for this new series?
I’m incredibly lucky. Being able to learn and grow with an upcoming
show takes the pressure off a little bit. I mean, of course you want to give
your best for your audience, but it allows me time to develop my character as
the narrative progresses. Also, this is the first major production for the
whole team which is nice, because we’re all learning together. On ITV, too!
That’s a pretty big deal. Again, I never thought I’d see the opportunity to
work on something like this. When I was first approached, I left the offer
hanging for a little while. I was so scared, and I didn’t think I had it in me,
but threw myself at it – thank god – or I wouldn’t have had this amazing
opportunity.
Obviously you like working with the
show, but the concept itself. What do you make of it all? Do you think it’s
relevant to today?
Oh, absolutely. It’s like a more modernised take on Orwell’s
‘1984’, and I think that in many ways it’s the similarities between this dystopian
fiction and our reality that make it so much more of a success. It makes it
less of simply a dystopian fiction, but throws an element of horror into the
mix as it becomes clear that the tragedies of the narrative could be the
outcomes of our own actions.
Do you think that the show is more
suited to the younger adults of today, rather than the older population given
the themes?
The series is definitely tailored to a more progressive audience.
My age group of ‘millennials’, and also the ‘Gen Zs’ after us, will feel the
deepest connection. The characters predominantly lie within these categories
that might make it a little harder for older people to relate to. Ideas
surrounding pollution, the media, mental health and current issues of female
empowerment, disability inclusion, and… I’m not sure if I can tell you too
much, but LGBTQ+ characters also make an appearance. More controversial topics
basically, that might not be as well received or valued by the elderly than the
young adults of today.
This female empowerment radiates from
your character in particular. Do you think that having Lyra as a lead is
important in today’s television industry?
Lyra isn’t the lead as much as she is a rival to Orin’s position.
He’s still the focal character of the series but as you’ll start to discover –
wink -, Lyra isn’t all she seems right now. That’s all I can tell you. The two
work in unison with Orin being the key character, but the female presence
challenges this and defying many stereotypes that a lot of women, particularly
in the lore of television and cinema, are burdened with.
And you like working with this
director? We hear they’re also fairly new to the scene. Could you share your experience
with a newbie creator?
I always envisioned a director as being an older, grumpy guy with
glasses, frowning in his special seat and living off of coffee – specific, I
know. But I was wrong. Howarth is a joy to work with, very patient with all of
us, and I’m so thankful to be working with her on my first large scale production.
She’s an incredible visionary to create something so diverse, and she really
holds the team together. I think that working such long hours in a frantic
studio environment is enough to drive anyone slightly mad trying to organise,
but she manages it. Also being a girl? I think that’s cool. Even now, like me,
you probably picture mostly men running things behind the screens. Again, I was
totally wrong. Maybe not about the coffee, though. I think it’s her life-source
at this point.
I can’t say I blame her! Anyway, it’s
been really great to speak with you today - I’m a big fan of your work so far,
even if the series is in the earlier stages still. Did you have anything else
you wanted to share? Maybe to your audience?
I mean, really just that I hope they’re enjoying the content as
much as I am being part of creating it. Keep going – the drama’s barely kicked
in yet. And to those that haven’t watched yet: don’t worry, you haven’t missed
that much just yet. It’s something fresh and different, definitely worth a try.
Even if it is a little dark. It’s also pretty diverse, so chances are they’ll
be elements of it that will suit your taste.
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