New Delhi, March 1: British actress Rosamund Pike, celebrated for her compelling portrayals of iconic literary characters, recently described playing roles adapted from novels as a "wonderfully rich experience." Known for her nuanced performances in film adaptations such as Pride & Prejudice, Gone Girl, Jack Reacher, and A Private War, Pike says literary source material offers actors a uniquely rewarding journey.
In an interview, Pike explained that while she typically creates a character's inner life independently, having the original author's insights significantly enriches the process. "As someone who's always loved English literature, if you can play a character that has source material in a novel, it's a wonderfully rich experience and territory to explore," Pike remarked. "A writer will hopefully give you clues as to what a character is thinking—which I would make up anyway—but if you've got a writer's instinct to be your guide, then that's wonderful."
Rosamund Pike Highlights Emerald Fennell’s Literary Approach in
Reflecting on her recent role in Emerald Fennell's 2023 black comedy film Saltburn, Pike shared that Fennell originally envisioned the story as a novel. "In fact, I felt that in her head, the characters were as rich as if they were a novel," Pike stated, expressing curiosity about whether Fennell would eventually complete the novel.Immense Depth of Character in
Currently starring in Prime Video's acclaimed fantasy series The Wheel of Time, adapted from Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson's best-selling book series, Pike emphasized the incredible depth available from the novels. The expansive series, consisting of 14 books, each over 700 pages, provides actors with an extensive resource. "There is backstory, thoughts, and notions about your character that you can just keep going back to like a Bible," Pike added.The third season of The Wheel of Time, premiering on March 13, primarily adapts Jordan's fourth novel, The Shadow Rising. The upcoming season promises to explore previously unseen regions and cities within the fictional continent known as the Westlands.
Behind-the-Scenes Creativity: Crafting a Real Fantasy World
Discussing the extensive production behind The Wheel of Time, Pike praised the immense creativity and craftsmanship involved in creating a believable fantasy world. Highlighting the scale of creativity required, Pike said, "When you make a show on this scale that involves very little that you can buy in the shop, you fuel intense creativity in every department. Everything—from the caravans, vehicles, weaponry, armour, clothes, hair, and creatures—has to be made." Notably, she confirmed the absence of CGI environments, with filming taking place at real locations, enhancing authenticity.Josha Stradowski on Transformative Experiences
Josha Stradowski, Pike’s co-star who portrays Rand al'Thor, recounted his unique experience filming the fourth episode of season two, titled "Daughter of the Night." The episode challenged him to embody various personas, including one significantly older character, requiring extensive prosthetics. "I had to go into a prosthetic for about seven hours and then walk on sets, walking past people that I've worked with over the last five years, who didn't recognise me," he said. Stradowski described this transformative experience as a "true gift" and a "dream come true."Cast and Production Team
Alongside Pike and Stradowski, The Wheel of Time features Daniel Henney, Zoe Robins, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Donal Finn, Ceara Coveney, and Sophie Okonedo. The series is helmed by showrunner Rafe Judkins and co-produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios.With its third season release imminent, Pike and her co-stars continue to celebrate the profound storytelling and intricate craftsmanship that bring this beloved fantasy to life.
