The adaptation of Jessie Burton’s unusual period novel The Miniaturist stars Anya Taylor-Joy as naive Nella Oortman as she begins her life in 17th century Amsterdam, with Romola Garai as her scary sister-in-law and Alex Hassell playing her unusual husband.
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Find out more about all the cast and characters below.
Anya Taylor-Joy – Nella Oortman
Who does Anya Taylor-Joy play? Petronella ‘Nella’ Oortman arrives in 17th century Amsterdam with a birdcage in hand. She and her parakeet have arrived to live with her new husband, the rich businessman Johannes Brandt, who has paid off her family’s debts in return for her hand in marriage. But she finds this house hides many secrets and her marriage will not be straightforward – especially when he buys a large doll’s house as a wedding present.
“She’s supposed to be the madam of the house, a wife and all of these different things,” actress Anya Taylor-Joy says. “And then as the script progresses and the ground under her feet is unsteady, she has to be the thing that is steady…”
Where have I seen Anya Taylor-Joy before? Taylor-Joy is an up-and-coming actress who was nominated for a Bafta Rising Star Award in 2017. She caught critics’ attention with her starring role in horror movie The Witch and in horror-thriller Split opposite James McAvoy. She’s also previously appeared in BBC mythology series Atlantis.
Alex Hassell – Johannes Brandt
Who does Alex Hassell play? Johannes Brandt is a rich merchant trader in Amsterdam, a vibrant business centre and thriving city. Nella’s new husband is a bit of a maverick and runs up against the puritanical mood of the era.
Where have I seen Alex Hassell before? You’re more likely to have seen him on stage, but Alex Hassell’s distinctive face has also appeared in Suburbicon, Bonkers and Miranda.
Romola Garai – Marin Brandt
Who does Romola Garai play? Marin is a wonderfully complex character. When Nella first meets her she is cold, intimidating and spiky, making the newcomer extremely unwelcome. As Johannes’ sister, she is used to running the household and being the boss. She is unmarried and extremely religious, intelligent, intellectual and full of secrets.
Where have I seen Romola Garai before? Romola Garai’s acting career began on a high when she appeared opposite Judi Dench’s in The Last of the Blonde Bombshells. She went on to star in Attachments, Nicholas Nickleby and I Capture the Castle. Many will remember her for her role as teenager Briony in Oscar-nominated movie Atonement alongside Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Vanessa Redgrave. More recently she’s starred in One Day, The Last Days on Mars, Measure for Measure, Born to Kill, The Hour and Suffragette.
Hayley Squires – Cornelia
Who does Hayley Squires play? Cornelia is a servant in the Brandt household. She is loyal to Marin and Johannes but kind to Nella.
Where have I seen her before? Hayley Squires played Katie in the Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake. She’s also appeared in Call the Midwife and recently popped up as the waitress in Timothy Spall’s episode of Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams.
Paapa Essiedu – Otto
Who does Paapa Essiedu play? Otto is Johannes’ manservant and a former slave. He works in the Brandt household and is kind to Nella.
Where have I seen him before? You may recognise Paapa Essiedu from Murder on the Orient Express, in which he played a young policeman. He’ll soon star in Kiri, the new series from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and National Treasure writer Jack Thorne.
Emily Berrington – The Miniaturist
Who does Emily Berrington play? When Nella decides to furnish her new doll’s house, she calls on The Miniaturist. This shadowy figure sends her little parcels of tiny objects which seem to predict the future.
Where have I seen her before? If Emily Berrington makes you feel a little spooked, perhaps that’s because she reminds you of conscious synth Niska from the TV series Humans. She also starred as Simone Al-Harazi in 24, Stacey in Outnumbered and Jane Shore in The White Queen.
Geoffrey Streatfield – Frans Meermans
Who does Geoffrey Streatfield play? Frans Meermans is an up-and-coming businessman in Amsterdam. He was once in love with Marin and has entrusted his wife’s fortune to the Brandts, investing in sugar for Johannes to sell.
Where have I seen him before? Remember Fergus Williams from The Thick of It? The ambitious young coalition minister? That’s Geoffrey Streatfield. He’s also been in Prime Suspect 1973, MI-5, and The Lady in the Van.
Aislin McGuckin – Agnes Meermans
Who does Aislin McGuckin play? Agnes Meermans has invested her money in sugar for Johannes to sell, but she is getting impatient at the delay. She is an interfering, jealous and unpleasant woman.
Where have I seen her before? Fans of Outlander will recognise Aislin McGuckin as Letitia MacKenzie, while Holby City devotees will remember her as Callie Taylor. She’s also been in Heartbeat, New Tricks, and The Creatives.
Ziggy Heath – Jack Philips
Who does Ziggy Heath play? We don’t want to spoil this for you…
Where have I seen him before? Ziggy Heath is better known as Luke Harris from the Cold Feet revival, and Sam Holland from ITV’s Harlots. He has also appeared in Black Mirror episode Hated in the Nation.
Christopher Godwin – Pastor Pellicorne
Who does Christopher Godwin play? The city’s religious leader, in pious Amsterdam where the pursuit of profit and godliness go hand in hand.
Where have I seen him before? With an acting career spanning six decades, Christopher Godwin has appeared in everything from My Family and Other Animals to Waking the Dead to The Bill.
Ian Hogg – Pieter Slabbaert
Who does Ian Hogg play? Schout of Amsterdam – a local official appointed to carry out law enforcement and prosecutions.
Where have I seen him before? Back in the 80s Ian Hogg starred in BBC series Rockliffe’s Babies and Rockliffe’s Folly as DS Alan Rockliffe. His TV CV includes EastEnders, Hitler: The Eise of Evil, The Last Valley, Little Dorrit and Bleak House. In Doctor Who he played villain Josiah Samuel Smith.
The Miniaturist airs on Sunday 9 September at 9/8c on PBS Masterpiece
from Radio Times https://ift.tt/2Dig8JY
