Towards Zero star Mimi Keene has spilled the beans on the “unexpected” love triangle at the heart of the newest Agatha Christie drama.
Under the direction of Sam Yates and with Rachel Bennette’s scriptwork, this eagerly awaited murder mystery centres around ex-spouses Nevile (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland), who decide to summer together at the estate of his aunt, Lady Tressilian (Anjelica Huston).
Cranking up the awkwardness, Nevile’s new bride Kay (Mimi Keene) lands in the mix, setting the stage for palpable strain.
Speaking at a press event for the new series, Mimi shared insights about the threesome’s intertwined relationships and reflected on the “fun” they had shooting lengthy 15-minute scenes that filled with lingering glances.
“We definitely have some moments which are definitely unexpected… Which is very interesting,” she teased.
Audrey actor Ella Lily Hyland, who is known for her role in Black Doves, chimed in on the trio’s fraught interplay, pinpointing a simmering sexual tension that ties their characters together.
Don’t miss…
Mimi Keene plays Kay Strange in BBC drama Towards Zero (Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/James Pardon)
“There’s sexual tension between all three, in a sense, because the sexuality of all three of them couldn’t exist without one of them,” she said.
She delved further into the narrative’s exploration of envy and desire, highlighting how the presence of Kay triggers certain elements within the other two and vice versa.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen, stepping into Nevile’s shoes, drew parallels between his character’s rocky rapport with Audrey and the storied, stormy liaison of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
The iconic pair of the 20th century starred in a remarkable 11 classic films together amidst their tumultuous romance, marked by two high-profile marriages and divorces.
Oliver mused on the legendary duo’s rocky relationship: “We spoke an awful lot about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton… Sort of looking back at that relationship and it being so public, and they just kept on coming back to each other, and how unbelievable, how there was so much love there – but, sort of, was it love?”
He also questioned what the addition of Kay added to the dynamic: “It sort of raises all these questions, so we spent quite a lot of time talking about that, and then the sort of entrance of Kay into that dynamic and what does that, kind of, do.”
Don’t miss…
Oliver Jackson-Cohen plays Nevile Strange and Ella Lily Hyland plays his ex-wife Audrey (Image: BBC/Mammoth Screen/ACL//James Pardon)
In the narrative set against the backdrop of a grand aristocratic estate, Audrey and Kay vie not only for Nevile’s attention during their shared holiday, but also strive to carve out their roles in a historical society that presented numerous obstacles for women.
Ella contemplated the show’s depiction of female challenges: “It’s interesting the dynamics of women because they’re in this time like it’s set in the 30s like they’re fighting for their place in the society.”
She then reflected on the parallels with contemporary issues: “So, in a way, it can be so reflective and relevant to now because when we look at femininity and how we mask that and how we portray that, and we’re put in a time when women had to do that to such a huge extent, and especially in this society. It is really interesting, like modern women in this world, to look at that and play those dynamics with a different perspective.”
Mimi teased that sparks will fly and tensions will rise, saying: “There are some almost lustful and a bit aggressive, don’t know if it’s going to be a fight or a kiss [moments]… Something happens.”
Towards Zero will premiere on Sunday, March 2 at 9pm on One