Daisy Edgar-Jones, the British actress who captivated audiences as Marianne in the hit TV series “Normal People,” has expressed her desire to revisit the role in the future. Speaking to BBC News, the 26-year-old actress shared her affection for the characters from the series, stating, “I love those characters. It would be wonderful to explore them again.”
“Normal People,” based on Sally Rooney’s novel, follows the tumultuous relationship between teenagers Marianne and Connell, portrayed by Paul Mescal. Released in April 2020 during the height of the pandemic, the series quickly became a cultural phenomenon, catapulting its young stars to fame. Both Edgar-Jones and Mescal have since landed significant roles in major films, with Edgar-Jones starring in “Twisters” and Mescal in “Gladiator II.”
Reflecting on the impact of “Normal People,” Edgar-Jones remarked, “Normal People was a series that was such a lockdown phenomenon. I think it introduced Paul and I to a lot of people and filmmakers.” She added that she felt “really lucky” for the opportunities the series opened up for her.
Meeting Edgar-Jones in a central London hotel for an interview about her new film, she noted the stark contrast between her current promotional activities and those during the pandemic, when she was confined to Zoom interviews for months. “I haven’t done that many in-person interviews yet,” she said. “It’s so nice.”
Since her breakout role in “Normal People,” Edgar-Jones has starred in various projects, including the films “Fresh” and “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the true crime mini-series “Under the Banner of Heaven,” and now “Twisters.” Despite her diverse roles, many fans still associate her with Marianne, the intelligent and fearless schoolgirl whose relationship with Connell captivated viewers.
A few months ago, Edgar-Jones and Mescal nearly broke the internet with an Instagram post that seemed to hint at a “Normal People” sequel. However, the pair later clarified that they were reuniting to host a marathon screening of the series for charity. Nonetheless, Edgar-Jones hasn’t ruled out the possibility of revisiting the characters. “If [Rooney] is up for writing a new story, who knows,” she said, laughing and adding, “Keeping it open. Always open.”
In “Twisters,” a sequel to the 1996 disaster film “Twister,” Edgar-Jones plays Katie Cooper, a retired storm chaser who returns to the open plains of central Oklahoma to test a new tracking system. Cooper, haunted by a tragic past encounter with a tornado, shares similarities with other characters Edgar-Jones has portrayed. “I think my characters tend to be, and have been historically, quite introspective. Or characters who have a complex inner life, who are dealing with things that are heavy and emotional,” she explained.
Despite the serious nature of her roles, Edgar-Jones revealed that she has a more light-hearted side. “I think maybe I’m more light-hearted. I’m quite silly,” she said. The film allowed her to have some fun, including running and screaming across fields. “I did do a lot of running. Which isn’t my strong suit,” she admitted, adding that she practiced not looking awkward while running.
On set, Edgar-Jones also indulged in Oklahoma cuisine, trying dishes like chicken fried steak for the first time. “I had something called chicken fried steak, which I’d never had, which is steak – actual steak – which they fry in chicken batter, which was cool,” she said.
Edgar-Jones stars opposite US actor Glen Powell in “Twisters.” Powell, known for his roles in “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Anyone But You,” and “Hit Man,” plays Tyler Owens, a social media superstar who chases tornadoes for likes. Edgar-Jones described Powell as “magical” and noted that she has a habit of starring with “a lot of the men of the moment.” She also mentioned that Mescal remains “one of my all-time best friends.”
The “Normal People” co-stars were recently seen together at the Glastonbury festival, where they had a blast. “We had the best time. Glastonbury is maybe one of my favorite places on Earth when the festival’s on,” Edgar-Jones said. “It’s so much fun. I love dancing, I love being with all my friends, I love camping, I love it all.”
“Twisters” has received mixed reviews from critics. The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey awarded it four stars, praising it as a “comfortingly old school affair” and calling its leads “charismatic.” Meanwhile, Variety’s Owen Gleiberman described it as “less awesome than the original.” The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw gave it three stars, calling it a “fun film with some big set-piece scenes” but noted it was “weirdly coy” about mentioning climate change.
Edgar-Jones emphasized that climate change is indeed a theme in the film. “There’s an element of climate change and what that means for how tornado alley is expanding and how more frequently we’re getting extreme weather events,” she said. “And I think the film really touches on that in a way that it’s encouraging you to be aware of it and think about how we can be more concerned about how we look after our planet.”
While comparisons with the original film are inevitable, Edgar-Jones believes the new version brings something different. “It’s so fun to see what the new technology will bring to this film,” she said. She also expressed her fascination with extreme weather, having grown up in London where the weather is typically mild. “When I was filming in Oklahoma during tornado season, and I saw really extreme storms, it was incredible. It’s amazing how massive they are and how small they make you feel.”
“Twisters” is set to hit UK cinemas on July 17.
Source: BBC News, The Independent, Variety, The Guardian
