The way that Lenny guides you through that, he talks about it as if it’s all part of the storytelling and the dialogue just becomes physical it’s still dialogue. It didn’t ever feel gratuitous because this is part of who they are. It is such a massive thing for these characters because they do struggle with communication, so a lot of communication is through intimacy. Reading the book I always knew that was going to be a massive part of it. Was there any hesitation or nerves about approaching the intimate moments? She really made me feel like I could do it. We’d also done rehearsal and we started hanging out quite a bit before that, but I felt so safe because she looked after me and was so encouraging. You want to feel like there’s history between Bobbi and Francis and it was such a bonding time for the two of us. The first two weeks of filming was just me and Sasha in France’s apartment for two weeks. But when we started it was so surreal because I’d never been on a set before. So I kind of like sprinting towards the first day. It was so valuable because it gave me time to process like, “Oh, I’m actually doing this” and “How do I want to approach it?” I had so much time to prepare, and so much time to speak to Lenny. And then we did a bit of rehearsal, so I actually knew everyone quite well by the time we actually came to do it. This is your first role and what a way to start out! What was that first day on set like?įrom when I got cast when we started filming it was like six months because of COVID. I just felt really nostalgic and I almost wanted to remember when I read the book the first time this was before I auditioned or knew they were going to do it. When I read the book I was finishing up college as well and was in a similar life place. Doing that with Lenny, who really gives space for the complexity of human nature and how people interact, or how people are with themselves. I felt there was so much to her and as an actor that’s such a gift to try and step inside of because you’re juggling so much. She can be so guarded, and maternal, but then she’s also someone who is very brave and a little bit reckless, and really goes after what she wants. She’s a million different things, multifaceted and changeable. IndieWire: What drew you into the character of Frances?Īlison Oliver: Francis is such an interesting character she’s very unusual character.

‘A Murder at the End of the World’ Is a Curious Interrogation of Obsession, Distraction, and Death This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. That bond is intriguing considering Lane herself was similarly thrust into stardom after her starring role in Andrea Arnold’s feature film, “American Honey.” Oliver also discussed working with the cast and director Lenny Abrahamson, and the responsibility she felt in portraying Frances’ struggles with endometriosis accurately. The latter, especially, as the first two weeks of filming involved being in the apartment Frances and Bobbi share. Oliver explained to IndieWire via Zoom that she bonded quickly with both Alwyn and Lane. When Frances and Nick embark on an affair it changes everything.

Alison Oliver has a story that wouldn’t be out of place in the classic film era, going from unknown to Hollywood with her first starring role in Hulu‘s new series, “ Conversations with Friends.” The Irish actress plays Frances, a shy, introverted young woman who, alongside her friend Bobbi (Sasha Lane), becomes close to intriguing couple Melissa and Nick (Jemima Kirke and Joe Alwyn).

Conversations with friends cast frances