Latest news with #EmilyWatson
Evening Standard
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
The best shows on Now TV, from Succession to The Day of the Jackal
Chernobyl is absolutely worth your time if you missed it in 2019 – although it does not exactly make for a 'fun' watch. The drama is about the real Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986, near the Ukrainian city of Pripyat. The five-part award-winning series starts on the day of the disaster and then follows what happens to the men who were there, the emergency services and staff who initially went in to stop the leaking radiation, the behind-the-scenes fight between politicians and scientists, the decisions that lead to the larger clean-up operation and the lives of the Pripyat inhabitants. Jessie Buckley, Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Paul Ritter and Jared Harris also star.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Inquest into Geordie Hospital chaplain Katie Watson's death
A coroner has paid tribute to an "inspiring" hospital chaplain who went "above and beyond" in her role caring for patients and Watson, a former army captain, appeared on the Channel 4 documentary Geordie Hospital, about life in a Newcastle 50-year-old mother-of-two was found in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle, in September, having suffered long-standing mental health issues which required both community and in-patient Karin Welsh, sitting in Newcastle, concluded that her death was suicide. Ms Welsh said although some areas of the chaplain's treatment from mental health services could have been handled differently, the coroner did not find that failings led to her taking her own life. If you've been affected by issues in this report there is help and support at BBC Action Line The inquest heard how Ms Watson had a turbulent upbringing before she joined the military, but that she was dismissed due to her served in Bosnia where she witnessed genocide, the inquest heard she developed post-traumatic stress was ordained and became head of chaplaincy at the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust in 2020, during the Welsh paid tribute, saying: "I work closely with people who knew Katie and they always spoke very highly of her and the work she has done."After the hearing, her partner Dr Emily Watson said: "Katie was a unique, inspiring, compassionate person who touched the lives of thousands of people."I am very grateful for the many hundreds of cards and messages I received when she died, and all the stories of how her ministry supported people at some of their darkest times."Ms Watson featured in two series of the Geordie Hospital documentary, which followed the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's staff through a typical known as the Reverend Captain Katie Watson, she often appeared alongside her staff welfare hound Poppy. Additional reporting by PA Media Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘There's an epic nature to this story': ‘Dune: Prophecy' star Emily Watson teases travels to Arrakis for Season 2
In its first season, Dune: Prophecy explored the Imperium and the foundations of the Sisterhood that would become the powerful Bene Gesserit 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides. At the cornerstone of that foundation stands Valya Harkonnen. As played by Emily Watson on the HBO series, the Mother Superior is a powerful and uncompromising leader, doing everything she can to secure the future of her Sisterhood. More from GoldDerby Kaitlyn Dever on playing 'horrible' characters in 'Last of Us', 'Apple Cider Vinegar': 'I just don't see any other option but to give 100 percent' How the longtime 'Severance' cinematographer wound up directing Season 2's standout episode 'We could do this show forever': 'Somebody Somewhere' creators on final season, heart, and the humor of Bridget Everett By the end of the series' first season, Vayla found herself on a new planet, but one very familiar to Dune fans. Gold Derby had the opportunity to speak with Watson about playing Valya and what lies ahead for her as she ventures to Arrakis in search of the enemy who could destroy everything she holds dear. Gold Derby: What was your familiarity level with the world of coming into this project? Emily Watson: Minimal. I had seen the first Denis Villeneuve movie, but then went on a very steep learning curve. I'm glad I didn't know that when we set out on that journey, the level of fandom — not just the lore and the detail of it and mythic nature of it — but also the sense of ownership of what the interpretation should be. There's a very heartfelt, passionate voice out there, people who know and love this world. How much did the depth of this fictional world help your process? Or did you avoid knowing too much? It certainly helped up to a point. Obviously, you have to respect the material and learn as much as you can. We had a very helpful team of people helping us digest material and pointing us in the direction of pieces of research and pieces of the books that would be useful. I wasn't going to sit down and read absolutely everything. At the same time, as with any part, you have to go on your own imaginative journey with it and make it — in a very strange and alien universe — as human as you can. What were you first impression of Valya once you were able to read material from the show? Very messed-up, very tough, very damaged. Very, very driven in the sense of the ends justifying the means. The end to her is righteous. She's in the business of saving the universe and saving humankind. She basically founds a cult, and cult leaders are very charismatic, persuasive people. They pit young people in competition with each other to be the most zealous. It's a sort of recruiting tool — telling people they're special and that they're the chosen ones and that they can save the world. It's the beginning of a myth. It's the beginning of thousands of years of creating a myth. Which aspect of her character appeals to you in how you approach portraying her as an actor? I love the idea of going into the world of science fiction and superpowers and all of that. But with Valya, all of her powers are in her mind, so the actors are doing the heavy-lifting. It's about mental prowess and having to be very, very present, in-tune with people, and hyper-aware. I like the mental discipline aspect of it. How much consideration did you give Charlotte Rampling's performance from the Villeneuve films? Or did the 10,000-year gap free you up? Absolutely, that 10,000-year gap is liberating. Thank God! At the same time, I do think she's iconic. She's an incredible presence and an incredible actress and so powerful. For our job, that's a direction of travel, but at the same time, with the way that our story was structured — going back to when these character were young and how they began to travel down this path and the unformed nature of what they're doing and the vulnerabilities that they have — it's showing a different arrival point. Was there any framework for you and Jessica Barden (who plays the younger Valya) to synch up your performances? Or were you just relying on the writers? Strangely, we had visions of spending time together, but the strike meant that it was not to be. We did talk. Once I started talking to her — her sense of fierceness and rawness — I felt lucky. To have someone portray your past in such a vivid way, it does an awful lot of the work for you. To arrive at Valya in place where all that youthful wildness is being control and put to a purpose, it felt like a nice journey between the two of us. What was it like to get to see her performance finally? It was great. It was thrilling. It made me nervous. I had seen [the younger actors] around, but we didn't have any scenes together. Seeing how those youngsters created that early world was fantastic. It seems possible within the world of the show that you could eventually be in a scene together. I know! I was saying that her the other day. "I wish we could do stuff together." But there is an awful lot of scope for doing whatever you want in this universe. How does thorough world-building in the production design affect your performance? It immediately gives you a sense of place and a sense of status. Again, it does a lot of the work for you. Those costumes were very powerful, feminine, and dark. Wearing a veil, in fact, I found thrilling. It's like wearing a mask. It's liberating because you can project a different kind of power from behind a veil. I love that. But also, the sets were breathtaking. Every time we went onto a new set, it was really shocking how big and powerful they were. It was awe-inspiring. There's an epic nature to this story. It's a vast universe, spanning many worlds. You don't have to work to reach for that. Valya's sister, Tula (played as an adult by Olivia Williams), is the closest relationship she has, but the two character spend most of the season apart. What was it like trying to bridge that gap and sell the familiarity? We have enough time together to establish that. Olivia and I are different kinds of actors, but we very much come from the same stable — theater and Shakespeare — with an understanding that you are taking a particular part of the story and serving that. Knowing that they were connected in their mission and what they were trying to achieve, although very far apart from each other, and trusting Olivia as an actor to be running the show back at the school brilliantly while I was off doing what I was doing. That sense of betrayal at the end, that nothing has been what I thought, feels powerful. Valya ends the season on Arrakis. A personal question: How do you feel about sand? I'm not particularly good with heat, so it's going to be interesting. I don't think we can be in the same location because of world events, but judging by the Villeneuve films, they shot everything in the desert at dawn and dusk. Wherever we are, I hope it's the nicest light, but obviously not too hot. Best of GoldDerby Chloë Sevigny on Kitty Menendez and 'Monsters' fascination: 'People are endlessly curious about those who have privilege and abuse it' Jason Isaacs relives filming 'The White Lotus' piña colada scene: 'It was one of the reasons I was worried about taking the job' Kaitlyn Dever on playing 'horrible' characters in 'Last of Us', 'Apple Cider Vinegar': 'I just don't see any other option but to give 100 percent' Click here to read the full article.
The Independent
03-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Exclusive: Emily Watson urges Keir Starmer to ‘save' mother of jailed activist on 245-day hunger strike
Emily Watson has appealed to Sir Keir Starmer to intensify efforts to 'save' the mother of an imprisoned British-Egyptian activist who has been on hunger strike for more than 245 days. Laila Soueif is currently hospitalised as a result of her ongoing hunger strike protesting the detention of her son, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, in Cairo, Egypt. The 69-year-old has said she is willing to die to secure Mr Abd el-Fattah's release, who is being detained illegally by Egypt according to a UN investigation. In an exclusive video shared with The Independent on Tuesday, the Academy Award-nominated actor urged the prime minister to take immediate action to save Ms Soueif. 'Before it's too late, we need to save Layla's life,' said Watson, who is known for her roles in The Theory of Everything and Gosford Park.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
‘Stomach-churning' thriller rockets up the Netflix charts a whopping 14 years on from its ITV debut - as viewers warn ‘it left me with chills'
A 'stomach-churning' thriller has rocketed up the Netflix charts a whopping 14 years on from its ITV debut - with viewers warning 'it left me with chills'. Appropriate Adult, which first aired on ITV in 2011, is a two-part mini-series of TV films dramatising how serial killers Fred and Rose West were brought to justice. The couple tortured, raped and murdered at least twelve young women in Gloucester between 1967 and 1987 - including their daughter Heather, 16, and Rose's stepdaughter Charmaine, eight. The dramatisation runs from their arrests in February 1994 until Fred's suicide, aged 53, behind bars in January 1995 - while Rose, 71, is still now serving a life sentence. It stars Dominic West as Fred, Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) as Rose and Emily Watson as social worker Janet Leach - Fred's appropriate adult during police interviews, so there can be no suggestion he did not understand them. Viewers have taken to IMDb to express how gripping this older dramatisation is - after a harrowing Netflix documentary on the Wests, released earlier this month, reawakened interest in the case. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The documentary, called Fred And Rose West: A British Horror Story, focusses on the victims' families. For some, it was the first time they spoke out and opened up on camera about their trauma. Appropriate Adult, by contrast, hones in on Janet's pivotal role, present in all Fred's interviews about his horrifying crimes. The drama received a whopping eight BAFTA nominations at the time of its release, with Dominic (The Crown) and Emily (Chernobyl) winning the awards for best actor and actress respectively. One viewer said of the series, which is currently ranking in the streamer's top ten, said: 'I was very moved by this dramatisation. Brilliant acting which left me with chills. 'I had to keep reminding myself that these events actually happened because it's so stomach-churning. This is definitely a must-see!' Another said: 'Emily Watson's stunning BAFTA-winning performance sets the small screen ablaze in this gripping study of sociopathy and those seduced by it. 'Watson does some of her most memorable and powerful work here and it is a clear demonstration of a gifted actor at the height of her artistry.' Viewers have taken to IMDb (pictured) to express how gripping this older dramatisation is But not everyone was pleased with the TV show, as one commenter (pictured) took issue with what they felt was a too sympathetic portrayal of Fred But not everyone was pleased with the TV show, as one commenter took issue with what they felt was a too sympathetic portrayal of Fred. They said: 'It was repellent - as well as incomprehensible - to watch Leach's developing interest and fascination with Fred West. 'Anyone watching this [series] should first do some Googling to find out the details of what Fred and Rosemary West perpetrated. 'If anyone deserves to be called human monsters, it is this pair. 'In the light of this knowledge, the script's clear intention - to me anyway - to actually make West into a figure of sympathy is disgusting.' The opening credits explain: 'This is a true story. What follows is based on extensive research, interviews and published accounts. 'Some scenes have been created for the purposes of dramatisation.' But it felt all too real for Dominic, who told the BBC at the time of filming that playing Fred gave him nightmares: 'I have this recurring dream where I'm perched on a wall and Fred West is trying to grab me and pull me down.' The drama received a whopping eight BAFTA nominations at the time of its release, with Dominic (The Crown) and Emily (Chernobyl) winning the awards for best actor and actress respectively The couple (pictured) tortured, raped and murdered at least twelve young women in Gloucester between 1967 and 1987 - including their daughter Heather, 16, and Rose's stepdaughter Charmaine, eight He also defended the series against criticisms it might be too traumatising for the victims' families to watch. Dominic said: 'I think it's effective without being sensational in any way. 'Thousands of people still go missing in this country every year and are never found. 'Fred West preyed on runaways without being caught for 25 years. We should not forget this case because there could be others like him.' It comes after audiences saw for the first time the eerie home videos of the West family, featured in the Netflix documentary that landed earlier this month. Riding bicycles over hilly tracks, wading through rambling streams and with children excitedly running off in different directions, they look like an ordinary family enjoying a day trip to the countryside. You would never guess this was footage of the family life of Britain's most notorious and sadistic serial killers: the Wests. The extraordinary family archive appears alongside chilling police footage of the moments West began giving up the secrets of 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester. Riding bicycles over hilly tracks (pictured), wading through rambling streams and with children excitedly running off in different directions, they look like an ordinary family enjoying a day trip to the countryside Over a series of visits, West coldly points out where he has hidden the bodies of the vulnerable young women who were held captive, raped and tortured at the Wests' infamous address which would become known as the 'house of horrors'. He could not look more relaxed with a cigarette in hand. At times he has a smile on his face or is cracking jokes. It would later emerge that over 20 years the couple murdered at least 12 young women including two of their own children. Nine were dismembered and buried under the cellar and the garden patio at Cromwell Street by builder West. Rose was found guilty in 1995 of murdering ten girls and women, while Fred was facing trial for 12 murders before his suicide the same year.
