Dear Edward star Anna Uzele has shared her most “cherished” memory from filming the show.
The Apple TV+ series, which is based on Ann Napolitano’s 2020 novel, depicts the life of a young boy (Colin O’Brien) after he is the sole survivor from a plane crash which kills his family.
In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Uzele, who plays Adriana on the show, spoke about the atmosphere on set and the series’ exploration of grief.
Related: Marvel stars team up in new Apple TV+ legal thriller series
“Some of my favourite moments were in our grief group that we had together. Our plotlines were separated, so a lot of our interactions with one another were in the hair and makeup trailers,” she revealed.
“Our grief group scenes were the one time when we all got to be together. They were just such fun days.
“Yes, it was grief group, and yes, we’re grieving, of course. But we all really liked each other, and we all just liked to crack jokes and be goofballs. It was the one time where we could just get it all out, finally. Because when we’re in our individual plotlines we’re alone.”
The 10-part series, which will air weekly from the fourth episode onwards, also stars Connie Britton, Taylor Schilling and Amy Forsyth, with Uzele adding that the scenes with her co-stars were “fun” to film.
“In these grief groups, our director, Allison [Liddi-Brown], was the first person to introduce the grief group to us, because that’s where it begins,” said Uzele.
“She said, ‘Hi, I’m Alison. Welcome to grief group. I want this to be a place where we honour our dead. I want this to be a place where the people who have passed get to be heavy on our hearts today and are with us in this space. Because we all know what grief feels like, and we’ve all lost someone at some point during the road’.
Related: Apple TV+'s Mythic Quest getting spinoff
“Does that mean it was sad? No. We were laughing and cracking jokes constantly. But it was beautiful – I keep calling it an altar to honour those who have passed.
“I lost my grandmother a few years ago, and so I got to think of her every single time I was in grief group and swap stories and things like that. Those were my cherished, most favourite memories.”
Dear Edward is streaming now on Apple TV+.
Best Entertainment and Tech Deals
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
