The co-stars bare all for their new film, now streaming on Hulu.
“No, no, we’re having a wonderful time!
We’re talking about all sorts of things.”
Daryl McCormack and Emma Thompson in ‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’.Searchlight Pictures
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Were you hesitant, or scared even, to take on these intimate roles?
DARYL MCCORMACK:I was a little bit nervous, because the nature of the film is very exposing.
So I had my own challenges in that regard.
And so that in a sense was our anchor.
EMMA THOMPSON:Yeah, you know what?
The script was so wonderful.
Scripts are like a vessel.
And some are really well put together this is going to hold water.
It’s going to see us through this voyage.
It’s going to really hold us.
And it was such a privilege, really.
So I wasn’t scared.
Is that normal practice in the industry for a film with nudity?
And what was that experience like for you?
THOMPSON:We wouldn’t know, I’ve never done
MCCORMACK:I don’t think so?
What other prep did you do for these roles?
And Katy [Brand], the writer, is based in Germany, where sex work is legal.
So she has a really great grasp on that.
And I think that was vital in terms of my prep, definitely.
Emma, you have said you don’t like looking in the mirror.
Was the scene cathartic for you in a way?
THOMPSON:Well, don’t forget, it’s Nancy’s moment, not my moment.
She’s looking at herself, but she’s not judging herself.
It’s like a meeting of the body.
She doesn’t judge it either positively or negatively.
It is a neutral gaze.
And within that neutrality is acceptance.
So that was how I prepared Nancy at that moment, and that’s what I was looking for.
Did you find that working on this film challenged your own thinking on those subjects?
THOMPSON:Not really, actually.
It’s not sex work.
We have to confirm that those two things are never conflated.
A friend of mine, a woman, said, “Gosh, it was like sunbathing.”
I never thought like that."
It’s never sententious or preachy.
It’s all so subtly written, because it’s all written into us as human beings.
We’re surrounded by the iconography of all of this, all the time.
So we ingest everything from a very early age.
It’s an amazing piece of writing.
The sunbathing metaphor is perfect, because it really is such a warm film.
They learn so much from each other.
At this moment in your career, Daryl, what did you personally learn from Emma?
MCCORMACK:I think the joy that Emma has in her work is infectious.
The choice you have to really lead Emma’s just an incredible leader, I have to say.
I remember the first day, second day on set, she knew everyone’s name.
And I think Emma just carries her gorgeous humanity into her work.
THOMPSON:You haven’t said anything about snacks.
MCCORMACK:Oh, that you have good selection in snacks?
THOMPSON:You’ve got to have a good snack.
And napping at lunchtime is very key very key.
But what are the snacks?
THOMPSON:We would have an oat cake with peanut butter and honey.
BOTH:And a big cup of tea [Laughs]
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