Daisy Edgar-Jones: 'My mother was the first to see the little flame in me'

In 2020, the talent of Daisy Edgar-Jones stood out thanks to the success of the

taken from Sally Rooney's bestseller.

It is thanks to the adaptation of another literary phenomenon,

by Delia Owens, that the actress is now making her way into theaters.

There is also an obvious filiation between the two heroines, both shy and intimidating, gentle and resilient.

In the feature film, expected in theaters on August 17, Daisy becomes Kya, a young woman abandoned since childhood by her family and living alone in the marshes, on the fringes of everything, but in communion with nature.

Free and unique, she will become the designated culprit when one of her two loves is murdered... Interview.

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In video, Where the crayfish sing, the trailer

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– Although my mother adores it and it has been in the family library since its release, I only read the book during the pandemic, just before casting.

What struck me was how much he resonated with what we were going through.

Kya lives isolated from the world, in the marshes, in harmony with nature.

However, with the cessation of modern life during confinement, we too have relearned to listen to nature which then momentarily regained its rights and which, during this period of restrictions, was for some the only possible escape.

What do you like about Kya?

She is a contrasting character: empathetic, strong and underestimated, like many women, alas.

I admire her because, despite the obstacles, she keeps control of her life, without trying to fit into the mould.

This film celebrates women in all their complexity, without systematically making them lovable.

It's the result of teamwork: the director as well as many heads of stations were women, and they were able to bring all the necessary nuance to this story.

It was very inspiring.

This film celebrates women in all their complexity, without systematically making them lovable

Daisy Edgar Jones

Is it important for you to choose projects led by women?

It happened naturally, without thinking about gender.

It is the interest of the project that takes precedence in the first place, even if I am very happy to contribute to a better visibility of women artists.

I expect, however, the day when the feminization of teams will no longer be noticed, when it will be acquired.

As in the

We live in an ultra-connected world where we count our number of followers and where we can report on our life to the minute.

Yet, paradoxically, cases of depression in the younger generation are on the rise, and the pandemic has made matters worse.

Nothing beats human contact.

It seems to me essential to prove it by example.

Have you ever felt like you're on the sidelines in your life?

I have a tendency to underestimate myself, and when I started, I almost apologized for being there.

But I gradually overcome this anxiety, in particular by observing more experienced actresses take the space that is theirs.

Who are your role models?

Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton impress me with their ability to transform themselves and the eclecticism of their filmography.

I also greatly admire the career of Audrey Hepburn.

Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton impress me with their ability to transform and the eclecticism of their filmography

Daisy Edgar Jones

What about Reese Witherspoon who is producing the film?

She is a very inspiring figure: she never ceases to highlight women, in front of and behind the camera.

Like her, I would like to produce one day.

The actors are the tip of the iceberg, but I would like to work to highlight other talents, restore the balance, support projects that are close to my heart.

Why not also make...

Your mother is an editor.

Did it have an influence on your vocation?

Shortly before I was 15, she was the one who encouraged me to audition for the National Youth Theater in London.

Before that, I had no idea what acting was.

I was selected, chosen by an agent and my career was launched.

My mother was the first to see the little flame in me.

Your father, meanwhile, launched the reality show

In Ireland, where part of my family comes from, we have a saying, “

”.

This means that you should never believe yourself to be superior to others, that you have to keep your feet on the ground.

This phrase was at the center of my education.

My mother was the first to see the little flame in me

Daisy Edgar Jones

Was this motto easy to follow when

I was lucky that the phenomenon happened in the middle of the pandemic, what fame implies then did not concern me at all: I lived between four walls, I read, I went out once a day to do my shopping .

It helped me, my partner Paul Mescal and me, to make our choices, protected from everything, based solely on the artistry.

It's a big chance.

Where the crayfish sing

, by Olivia Newman, with Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith… Released on August 17.