Ep 124: Zawe Ashton & Emma Holly Jones on Regency RomComs, casting and Mr. Malcolm's List

In this episode of Girls On Film Anna Smith does a deep dive into MR. MALCOLM’S LIST, a new release starring Zawe Ashton, Freida Pinto and Sope Dirisu, directed by Emma Holly Jones in her feature debut. Anna talks to Emma Holly Jones about this Regency RomCom with a difference: about what it takes to get a first feature made, about historical accuracy versus depicting diverse female agency on screen and about casting and working with Freida Pinto and Zawe Ashton during lockdown. Zawe Ashton joins Anna to talk about playing Julia Thistlewaite in MR. MALCOLM’S LIST opposite Freida Pinto as Selina Dalton. Zawe talks about her view of the film's narrative, the pleasure of working with Freida Pinto and the other women in the film, and on making a movie in which female friendship is as important as the love interest. UK listeners can watch MR. MALCOLM’S LIST in cinemas from 26 August 2022. Other films and theatre shows mentioned in this episode include Hamilton, Bridgerton, Belle, The Personal History of David Copperfield, Notting Hill, When Harry Met Sally. We also discuss The Black List Table Reads podcast which you can find here: https://www.stitcher.com/show/black-list-table-reads and Penguin Random House’s initiative to support inclusive reading in schools, Lit in Colour, which you can find here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/lit-in-colour Become a patron of Girls on Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast www.twitter.com/GirlsOnFilm_Pod www.twitter.com/annasmithjourno Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith. Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold. Audio Producer: Benjamin Cook Intern Grace Delve House band: MX Tyrants This episode is in partnership with Vertigo Releasing #RomCom #Regency #RegencyRomCom #Inclusivity #GenderDynamic