Sheridan Smith has described her transformation for The Castaways, saying she loved fulfilling the role of “badass.”
The Paramount+ series follows Erin (Céline Buckens) as she travels Fiji to investigate the disappearance of her missing sister Lori (Smith) after a plane crash, with the investigation taking a turn as her credit card is used.
The show represents something of a change in genre for Smith, with the star speaking exclusively to Digital Spy about the project, her experience on the set and the costuming.
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“I’ve not done much action-wise, so [it’s] great using things like spearguns,” she began. “My character goes from wearing quite twee dresses to taking charge on the island and becoming an absolute badass.
“I love that transition. I’d love to do more action after this! Speaking personally as a viewer, I want to watch something that’s escapism. You want to snuggle up and watch something like this that’s set abroad when it’s cold at home.
“Holly came to the theatre to do my costume fittings and we tried on all these lovely dresses and then more of a badass look. She asked me if the wedges were going to be too annoying on the sand, but I was like, ‘No, they’re brilliant.’ It’s meant to look ridiculous.
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“I was like, ‘Why have I chosen these shoes?!’ Running through the jungle and onto the sand in those was mad - doing it [repeatedly] but it did look great. Then she turns into a barefoot warrior princess, customising her clothes and covered in mud and blood.”
Smith, who has appeared in Gavin & Stacey and Mrs Biggs, previously spoke about her conquering of a fear during filming, saying: “I was terrified of water and I'm in water for most of the show. And I'm scared of heights and I was up a tree and on a cliff so it was a challenge.”
The Castaways will premiere on Paramount+ on December 26.
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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.
