Emma Holly Jones Interview: Mr. Malcolm's List
The Regency era is back on the big screen thanks to Mr. Malcolm's List, currently in theaters. While it may seem to be following the way paved by Bridgerton with its modern touches and colorblind casting, the concept actually dates back to the 2019 short that gained enough popularity to get author Suzanne Allain's novel by the same name officially published. Director Emma Holly Jones has been with the project since its inception, and her passion for the story comes through in her feature film debut.
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Freida Pinto are at the center of the story as Jeremiah Malcolm, the younger son of an earl with a very specific list of qualities needed for a debutante to become his future wife, and Selina Dalton, the daughter of a clergyman who lives in the countryside and isn't as given to London's high society ways. Selina is called to town by her friend Julia (Zawe Ashton), who wants her to exact revenge on Jeremiah for publicly humiliating her with his inattention after an opera date gone wrong.
Related: Mr. Malcolm’s List Is A Charming Period Romance Led By An Excellent Cast
Screen Rant spoke to Pinto and Dìrísù about how they took Mr. Malcolm's List from YouTube short to feature film, why Jeremy is so drawn to Selina, and what would be on their own lists.
Screen Rant: I love this film, and I love how involved have you been part of the process of not only getting it made but also even getting the book published. What's it like to be so intricately involved in it from the start?
Emma Holly Jones: A lot of work. It's wonderful, because I think it really allowed me to [feel like] the final product really is my voice. And I think that's an extraordinary thing to be able to say; to make a film of this size, and to come
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