Saturday, July 25, 2015

Pink Carnation Spotlight - Eleanor Tomlinson (Sally Fitzhugh)

The casting of Sally was one of the universe aligning in perfect harmony. I was re-reading The Mischief of the Mistletoe over Christmas two years ago and I was musing on Sally, because she does tend to steal the spotlight whenever she can. Simultaneously, the much waited for adaptation of Death Comes to Pemberley was airing on consecutive nights and there was Sally, going by the name Georgiana Darcy for some reason... well, whomever she was pretending to be, I knew it was Sally.

Name: Eleanor Tomlinson

"Dream" Character Casting for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: Sally Fitzhugh

First Impression: I first saw Eleanor in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, a lackluster adaptation of a fun book series by Louise Rennison. Eleanor wasn't at all how I had pictured the character of Jas, but nowhere near as bad as the casting of Georgia, and Alan Davies surprised me in how much I didn't feel like killing him. I have Alan Davies issues. But needless to say, this blah movie made me notice a good actress.

Why they'd be the perfect actor for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: She has such an amazing range, from the romantic heroine to the fierce independent woman to a pawn to the greater forces, she is believable and relatable in every single role I've even seen her in. Plus, you get this feeling that while weary of the world around her she still finds the humor in it. And I think she could really wield a stoat. Oh, and I think she could easily be described as a "gilded beanpole."

Lasting Impression: The White Queen, totally. I mean, yes, I've seen her in practically everything she's been in, but her portrayal of Isabel Neville in the addictive miniseries The White Queen made you have a real, human connection with someone who is just a name in history. Plus, you realize what serious acting chops she has.

What else you've seen them in: Um, you might have heard of this show everyone is obsessed with, it's call Poldark... I'm telling you, if she doesn't get an Emmy nomination for her work, I will weep. I mean, I turned into the show for Aidan, I mean, come on, it's Aidan, but I really stayed for Eleanor. Each week she makes you more and more invested in Demelza and Ross's relationship. But more then that, the depth of emotion. Seriously, she is going to be a big star, she's only twenty-three afterall! She's also been in the aforementioned Death Comes to Pemberley, an episode of Poirot, and a few big budget movies, like Jack the Giant Slayer and The Illusionist.

Can't believe it's them: The Sarah Jane Adventures! I am excused though because, seriously, look at all that makeup! But what amazes me more is that this two part episode "The Mad Woman in the Attic" is easily my favorite story arc on this show all because of the character Eleanor played. She was able to make an alien so very human and vulnerable and up the quality of a show that is usually pandering crap to something worthy of the Doctor Who canon.

Wish they hadn't: Alice in Wonderland. But then it's my belief that this Tim Burton, Johnny Depp monstrosity should never have been made. It is horrid. It is unbearable. It is getting a sequel? What the hell people!

Bio: Eleanor was born when I graduated 8th grade, making me feel very old. She comes from a family of performers, her mother is a singer and actress, while her father and her brother, who is ironically (in my mind) named Ross, are both actors. She was born in London and grew up in Yorkshire, getting her first acting gig at thirteen, by basically strong arming her father's agent into representing her. She seems to be a pretty private person, which I strongly applaud her for, seeing as she's in the limelight a lot. But what IS known is that she's a dog person and, instead of falling for Aidan Turner, she fell for his stuntman on Poldark. Ah romance.

0 comments:

Newer Post Older Post Home