Q&A with Jessica Reynolds who plays Emma Harte

What makes Emma such an inspiring character?

It’s the fact that she's not led by love. I remember reading the scripts for the first time and she constantly took turns that I genuinely didn't expect. The piece fights against lots of period drama cliches, and Emma was just so driven by the desire to better herself, rather than living for a man. She has her eyes set on the prize and she doesn't steer away from that, which is pretty inspirational. We all love romance and Emma is a very romantic person in all senses of the word, but she’s not defined by love or men.

Could you instantly imagine yourself playing Emma?

No, when this project first came through I was very close to not auditioning for it, because I just didn't see myself getting this kind of role. I work mostly in Ireland, and I’m not usually the leading lady, let alone for a very English part. I didn’t think they would want me, but when I got a recall I actually read the episodes and realised this wasn’t just any old period drama – it had something to it and this was a really good role. Luckily the next audition went well and here we are. I was only cast three weeks before we started shooting, so I got my wig fitted, read the scripts again and boom we were filming.

How did it feel to portray this character across so many eras of her life?

There were such big shifts to play – from Emma as a young maid with that working-class fire inside her, to episode four, when she deliberately becomes a different version of herself in order to survive. She changes her accent and the way she looks, she's very clever about it… but I found it really tricky as I had to do it overnight and I felt like a fraud. It was a hard transition because I felt like she was neglecting her old self and her true roots. Then she finds her feet and becomes a more self-assured, triumphant version of herself. Emma’s drive and determination never falter, and eventually she becomes the woman you see Brenda Blethyn playing in New York.

You said you rarely play leading ladies – what was that experience like?

It was certainly different! I always fully immerse myself in a project but I’m used to doing indie films for eight weeks. This was a different level, leading across eight episodes, playing such a driven character and sustaining that energy for four and a half months… in a way it was the hardest thing I've ever done. It was tough, but such a blessing as well and it’s a privilege being the lead because you often get more coverage and a greater narrative focus. After a few weeks it felt like Emma was in my bones.

How did you find mastering the Yorkshire accent?

I love doing accents. Yorkshire is quite tricky because it’s an accent that works the jaw and mouth a lot, unlike my own, so it was difficult at first, but we had a brilliant dialect coach, Natalie Grady. Once I found the accent I stayed in it for filming, and I actually started speaking in a Yorkshire accent in my sleep, genuinely! It’s part of me now.

What about the period costumes and wigs?

It took about two hours to get me ready in the morning, which wasn't too bad, because the make-up was quite light and easy. The wig was intense every day though. Luckily you do get used to the corset – I've done quite a few period pieces, and the first time you put a corset on you do panic a bit, but your body really does accustom to it. Of course, with a period drama, there’s more melodrama than usual too, so everything is that bit bigger and there’s a lot of energy expenditure. But the costume is great because it feels like 50% of the work is done once you get into it.

Did you enjoy filming on location in the Yorkshire moors?

Those were my favourite scenes – I know the crew worry about wind and rain, but I just love being able have nature around me and working off the elements, I feel much less self-conscious, and freer. Some of the locations were just breathtaking and those are the images that stick in my mind today when I think back to filming, Yorkshire is just stunning. Those are some of Emma's happiest moments too, when she's so connected to the land, it’s a beautiful thing. 

Do you think this adaptation will captivate a new audience?

I think so, the cast is so young and fresh. I think the casting was actually quite bold in terms of not having flashy, massive names in every role, which can feel risky. I never thought I would be cast in something like this, and when I look at other characters I'm really glad that they went with who was right for the part – bold actors bringing something fresh. Leanne [Best] is astounding as Adele for example. I really think there is something edgy and cool about this drama.

Emma’s story is still so inspirational. I’ve read that a lot of fans of the original series and book cite her as the person that gave them the hope and the determination to become self-made, or defy working-class roots to become something bigger than they could have imagined. I didn’t know the original show at first, but after I took the job I soon became very aware of the cultural impact it has had. My mum just started reading it and she loves it – she keeps telling me what happens, and I tell her I remember filming those scenes.