Lenny Abrahamson was nominated a few years ago for Best Director’s Oscar for Helming Room, which opened up several film opportunities. However, for his most recent project, Normal Hulu People, he says he had no doubt that he was looking for paintings on television.
At deadline’s Contenders Television: The Nominees, which directed a limited series or film, he explained to me why he best devised the means to adapt Sally Rooney’s novel.
“Television is by no means the little brother of the cinema,” he said. “Television in this new kind of renaissance has had a wonderful effect on the quality of the systems and is amazing. For a while I searched for paintings in this space,” he added, noting that the episodic nature of The E-Book Covering a Young Couple’s Dating Over 4 Years fits perfectly into episode television. “History is an ordinary look at a very important phase in a person’s life.”
Abrahamson was joined on the panel through his co-star Paul Mescal, making his television and film debut against his co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Film; Jones passed away, she told me that she shared this honor with her in each and every way.
As for the role itself, Mescal is very happy to have it.
“I had all the portions from the point of view of an actor who sought to engage. I’m very nervous about getting in because I didn’t like the business,” he said, adding his compliment to Abrahamson, who shot the first six episodes of the 12-part series before moving on to Hettie McDonald for the time being.
Watch the video above and click to view all Sunday’s Contenders TV panels.
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