“By no means work with kids or animals,” is a phrase famously attributed to Hollywood actor and comic W.C. Fields. For actor Tanya Reynolds, that maxim may additionally apply to robotic animals. Within the first episode of The Decameron, Netflix‘s new darkish comedy set in Italy throughout the bubonic plague, she plucks a wriggling fish from a fountain. At the least, it was presupposed to be wriggling…
“It simply malfunctioned,” she tells StyleCaster, laughing. “I simply mentioned, ‘Oh, it’s a robotic fish malfunction,’” to her buddy, Alana, who was engaged on the present as a Steadicam operator, “and we had been like, ‘Oh my god, that’s our band.’ We really made up a tune on the spot referred to as ‘Robotic Fish Malfunction,’ which she’s bought recorded someplace.”
The fish—who dies moderately unceremoniously because it’s whacked in opposition to the concrete—wasn’t the scene’s solely casualty. “I smacked my hand once I smacked the fish, and I feel you may see within the last product that I’m bleeding, however I didn’t understand as a result of the water and my palms had been so chilly,” says Reynolds. Minutes later, Licisca is found lined in “fish carnage” and moments like this are when Reynolds’ comedic chops actually shine. “Oh,” she remarks, eyes widening. “How completely queer of me.”
Reynolds—who you’d acknowledge from Intercourse Schooling—performs Licisca, the servant of a noble household whose grasp dies, leaving her to take care of her grasp’s similarly-aged, entitled daughter, Filomena. They’re invited to flee “the pestilence” within the Roman countryside, which claimed virtually half of Europe’s 14th-century inhabitants. TLDR; Licisca grows bored with Filomena’s shit, pushes her off a bridge, and assumes her grasp’s id on the villa the place different nobles are quarantining.
What drew you to this character?
The primary scene that I learn was the place Licisca, within the very first episode, is placing flowers up her nostril to attempt to thrust back the pestilence. Simply the truth that she thought that would work—she was so earnest and naive, however because the story goes on, she reveals herself to be fairly rock strong. She’s an amazing multi-dimensional character and the world is so distinctive. That’s what was so thrilling to me.
I’ve learn that this present is being described as Love Island, however again within the day. I’m curious, do you watch actuality TV?
I find it irresistible. I’ve simply completed watching Married at First Sight Australia. After I’m watching TV, I simply need to change off typically and actuality TV helps me try this. I don’t know if it has one thing to do with being an actor as effectively—the place typically watching TV can really feel like work since you’re watching and analyzing it.
However I feel at first, you suppose this can be a costume drama about individuals on this villa hooking up. Then really, because the present goes on, it will get a lot deeper. It’s very a lot an exploration of sophistication and what occurs to the category construction when everybody thinks they’re going to die.
There are some superb comedic actors on this present, your self included, however you’ve additionally bought Tony Hale (Buster in Arrested Growth), Zosia Mamet from Ladies, and Saoirse-Monica Jackson from Derry Ladies. Was there a whole lot of room for improvisation?
Kathleen [Jordan] and the administrators had been tremendous open to improvisation. Folks like Tony Hale, Zosia, and Saoirse are actually expert improvisers, watching them was superb. However I personally get slightly scared.
After I’m watching TV, I simply need to change off typically and actuality TV helps me try this. I don’t know if it has one thing to do with being an actor as effectively—the place typically watching TV can really feel like work since you’re watching and analyzing it.
Tanya Reynolds
I need to discuss your dialogue with Douggie McMeekin who performs Tindaro. There should’ve been so many scenes that had been troublesome to get by due to how humorous your strains are.
Any scene with him was troublesome to get by with out laughing. There’s one scene the place he, Arma [Chadha-Patel], and I are in a tent and Douggie’s feeding me grapes. At one level, he’s hyperventilating and he turns to me and says, “Are you in love with me?” As quickly as he mentioned it, we each locked eyes and exploded into laughter. It was inconceivable to get by that scene.
What number of takes do you suppose you probably did?
Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps upwards of seven. It was really on Valentine’s Day, taking pictures that scene. Being on this tent with these very humorous individuals… It was nice.
One of many largest bombshells of the present is that Filomena and Licisca are literally sisters. How does that change their relationship?
She’s been thrown that large bomb of data simply earlier than she thinks she’s going to die, so she will be able to’t course of a lot in that second. As soon as they’re free and again within the villa, she’s livid. She’s spent her whole life being this lady’s servant, having been introduced up believing that she’s much less of an individual.
Filomena has handled her terribly and she or he actually can’t forgive that. To suppose that Eduardo as effectively, this man she beloved, however as her grasp—he knew all this time she was his daughter and but he stored her as a servant. When Eduardo dies, Licisca appears like she’s bought nothing to dwell for. When she finds out that all the things she thought she was residing for by no means actually existed, she goes into full chaos mode.
The scene proper on the ending the place the category construction of this group has dissolved. Are you able to communicate to the importance of that second?
Even the setting of it’s so peaceable. These individuals have been by a lot and have discovered peace inside themselves and with one another in a spot the place there is no such thing as a class construction. Licisca has discovered forgiveness and Filomena has redeemed herself. She additionally realizes that, “Oh, really, I do have mates right here.”
The place would you prefer to see Licisca’s story go from right here?
I’ve all the time seen the present as a restricted collection as a result of it ends and it’s not open in its ending. However I’d like to do a second season as a result of all of us had a lot enjoyable. I’d like to see Licisca in some place of energy.
The Decameron is out there to stream on Netflix.
