So my friend solothefirst had a wonderful idea. I was talking with her recently about how I thought a particular actor we both love would make a fabulous Robert – a key protagonist character – in The Seed, and she suggested I write a post about my dream cast for a movie of the novel.
So that’s what this is – and it’s my dream cast, meaning getting amazingly successful, famous actors for some small roles, so completely unrealistic I realise, but it’s my dream, so hey, dream big!!
I’ll go through the main and key support characters for the novel and who I’d love to cast if I could, and for any of you who read the novel I’d love your feedback about whether you agree or if you think of someone you think would be better….. BUT…the casting of Robert is a non-negotiable, LOL!! So here goes:
Sara: Sara is the main character of the novel. She is the artist who dreams the dreams of a possible former life, then paints them, only to discover the potential other half of the dream in Robert. She is a deeply passionate and intelligent character, but one that does not realise how attractive and special she is. The part needs a strong actress with unconventional beauty – someone you could believe under-estimates her own appeal, but has it in spades nonetheless. I couldn’t think of anyone till a friend suggested Anna Paquin, and then this was so perfect I couldn’t see anyone else in the role. Anna is amazing, beautiful in a quirky way, and so emotionally rich in her work. A dream Sara for the dreamer that is Sara indeed!
- English: New Zealand actress Anna Paquin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Robert: So this is the non-negotiable inspiration for this post. Robert is a journalist of keen intelligence and deep, brooding passions and needs. He is described as having a wiry, wild masculinity. I wrote the first draft of the novel fifteen years ago, long before my dream actor for the role was on the scene, but now it is as though it was written for him, like a prescience. Anyone familiar with my rant on the cancellation of Leverage (posted January this year) will not be surprised to hear my perfect Robert is the wonderful Christian Kane.
- Kane Smile (Photo credit: Unknown Fangirl)
Karen: Karen is Robert’s wife, a clever and classically beautiful woman who has been confident and assured all her life. My favourite actress at the moment is Natalie Dormer – ever since her wonderful portrayal of Anne Boleyn in The Tudors, and her ice queen role in Elementary. She has the perfect beauty and quiet depth required of the role, and while it is probably too small a role to ever dream she’d actually play it, I can think of no-one more perfect for the part.
- Natalie Dormer at HBO’s “Game Of Thrones” Season 3 Seattle Premiere at Cinerama (Photo credit: spratt504)
Henry: Henry is an art dealer who mentors and promotes Sara and her work. He is a man described as being timeless, almost belonging to an earlier age, and needs to be sensitive, intelligent, perceptive and ultimately kind. I love the actor Tom Hollander and can see him so clearly in this role as I think even in roles he does that are darker there is still this essential gentleness in his wonderful work.
- English: English actor Tom Hollander. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sara’s parents: here’s a case of dreaming big – I’d love William Hurt for the father – a stoic, quiet, deeply supportive man and Judi Dench for the mother – a woman of precise tastes but deep caring under a cooler exterior. I, like most of the world, think they are both brilliant!
- William Hurt signing autographs at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival while promoting History of Violence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Judi Dench at the BAFTAs at the Royal Opera House in London. Français : Judi Dench photographiée lors de la soirée des British Academy Film Awards dans le Royal Opera House à Londres. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Peggy: Sara’s sister is more confident than Sara because she is more conventionally pretty. She is a red haired, beautiful young woman. As a bit of a Dr Who tragic, I couldn’t think past Karen Gillan. She has the poise and beauty essential to the part.
- English: Karen Gillan at the 2011 Comic Con in San Diego (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Susan: Sara’s best friend needs a quiet, steady intelligence and a warmth that is perhaps just slightly stern. The first actress that came to mind for this is Carey Mulligan, probably again just because I like her work and think she would be fabulous…another case of dreaming a bit too big for a small, but important role.
- English: Carey Mulligan during Q&A following the screening of An Education at the Ryerson Theatre. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
And last but not least, there is Rebecca, the herbalist: I’m thinking Willa Holland here as I just like her work and think she has the edge and attitude that would work wonders in this small but pivotal role.
- Willa Holland (Photo credit: keithlam)
So that’s my dream cast….would love other suggestions from anyone who reads the novel. It’s fun to imagine your work on the big screen, even if that is an unlikely eventuality. Dream big, dream big, and never forget to dream….. 🙂
Cheers Helen V.
helenvalentina 