COLLIDER: Joseph Fiennes, Tamsin Egerton & Exec. Producer Chris Chibnall Interview CAMELOT
by Christina Radish
Posted:April 1st, 2011
The highly anticipated Starz original series Camelot is a dark and compelling new take on the familiar legend. It redefines the classic medieval tale of King Arthur in a 10 episode first season that is set in the wake of King Uther’s sudden death, when chaos is threatening to engulf Britain. When the sorcerer Merlin (Joseph Fiennes) has visions of a dark future, he turns to the young and impetuous Arthur (Jamie Campbell Bower), King Uther’s unknown son and heir, who has been raised from birth as a commoner. But Arthur’s cold and ambitious half sister Morgan (Eva Green) will fight him for power, summoning unnatural forces to claim the crown in this epic battle for control. In these dark times, with Guinevere (Tamsin Egerton) being his only shining light, Arthur will face profound moral decisions while he attempts to unite a kingdom that is broken by war and steeped in deception.
During a recent interview, co-stars Joseph Fiennes and Tamsin Egerton, along with executive producer/writer/showrunner Chris Chibnall, talked about the contemporary appeal of this classic story, putting their own twist on these dark legends, having an ensemble of this caliber bringing these characters to life, and using Season 1 to really set the foundations for the familiar story and characters and illustrate their passion, both personal and political...
... Question: Joseph and Tamsin, as actors, why did you want to take on this project?
JOSEPH FIENNES: I was tricked. Chris told me that I’d be up for Guinevere. No. It was very exciting to turn the myths upside down and to get to the legend in a visceral, modern way. It’s told in a wonderful, cinematic way. It’s a great team of actors. We know about the Sword in the Stone and the Lady in the Lake, but it’s great to visit those myths in a really exciting way. That’s what drew me in.
TAMSIN EGERTON: I was very aware of the legend, from such an early age. Being a Brit, you are so aware of King Arthur, Camelot, Guinevere and Morgan, the witch. Merlin is this mad magician who’s cloaked in mystery. It has that mystery about it. And, it’s a lead role for a woman that’s strong and has a real journey to take. She has some fantastic storylines and really grows up, in the first season. You can see her journey. It was a gift to have such an interesting and strong female role to play. That’s really why I wanted to do it. I wanted to be a part of this generation’s telling of Camelot, and also get the chance to play a fantastic, complex, interesting, emotionally passionate, young lead role...
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