“Im having my own moment right now.
“This is pretty lush.
“I’ve never been in this kind of experience before, so it’s super new…
‘Dangerous Liaisons’ stars (from L-R): Michael McElhatton, Nathanael Saleh, Carice van Houten, Colette Dalal Tchantcho, Nicholas Denton, Alice Englert, Paloma Faith, and Kosar Ali.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
I’m having my own moment right now.”
Dangerous Liaisonsis, of course, no stranger to being adapted on stage and screen.
A 1988 film iteration, starringGlenn CloseandJohn Malkovich, was nominated for seven awards at the 61st Academy Awards.
Alice Englert at the ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ world premiere in NYC.Adela Loconte/Shutterstock
It was later reimagined as the teen dramaCruel Intentions, featuringSarah Michelle GellarandRyan Phillippe, in the ’90s.
“That kind of made me think, ‘Wow, there is something new to say here.’
I want to go back to the beginning.
Nicholas Denton at the ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ world premiere in NYC.John Lamparski/Getty Images
How did that start?'”
I wanted to really invest those with huge stakes.”
“This show is all about chemistry.
Carice van Houten at the ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ world premiere in NYC.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
At the end of the day, it’s a love story,” she said.
“It might be a toxic one, but it’s a love story.”
For Englert, stepping into the shoes of Close’s character was a teenage dream realized.
Colette Dalal Tchantcho at the ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ world premiere in NYC.John Lamparski/Getty Images
“The idea that pride and love were incompatible rang so true.
I just thought it was vicious and vulnerable and I love it.”
ThePower of the Dogactress, however, was less enthused about its accompanying corset.
“But then, most of the time, it really felt something like a straightjacket.
A kind of bondage into the time period.
I’m very relieved to be in the modern times because you really feel it.”
Meanwhile, Denton stayed as far away from Malkovich’s original performance as possible.
“I’ve never seen ‘em, but I’m a huge John Malkovich fan.
I remember watchingThe Glass Menageriedaytime TV movie he did,” he said.
More than anything,Dangerous Liaisonsrequired Denton to be quick on his feet.
It’s super charming.”
But, asGame of ThronesalumCarice van Houtennoted,Dangerous Liaisonsis also about the bonds between women too.
“It’s also a real show about sisterhood.
I think that should be cherished and we have to really be aware of that.”
Despite its heavy subject matter, there is still a bit of levity present too.
Still, that doesn’t mean she was scrolling through her For You Page for inspiration.
“I’m on TikTok begrudgingly,” she joked.
“I just think it takes so much time.
I’ve got a full-time job also.
“I actually played Merteuil in drama school,” she revealed.
My agent knew this, so when it came along, I was ready to go.”
And, naturally, a few lighthearted pranks took place on set as well.
“I would steal the gloves away from the grips and hide them in places,” Tchantcho shared.
One time, it was funny.
Second time, she realized, ‘Oh, you didn’t realize it’s not your line!’
I was like, ‘I’m sorry!'"
The series will premiere Nov. 6 on Starz.
