Keeley Hawes reveals why Adolescence writer Jack Thorne's new show was 'a no-brainer'
Falling stars Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu open up about Adolescence writer Jack Thorne's new Channel 4 drama.
Keeley Hawes says it was a "no-brainer" to sign up to Jack Thorne's new show Falling.
The upcoming Channel 4 drama, which has been created by the Adolescence writer, tells the story of a nun, Anna, and a priest, David, who fall in love with each other despite their vocations.
Keeley told The Big Issue magazine: "It's a no-brainer when something comes through the door from Jack.
"This is unlike anything I'd seen for such a long time. It's a thing of beauty about love in all its forms.
"Maybe we can't all relate to it being about a nun and a priest. But actually, love is the most relatable thing of all."
The sentiment is shared by Paapa Essiedu - who will play Severus Snape in HBO's Harry Potter revival - as he admitted he's been "such an admirer" of Jack's "for a long time".
He added: "With this story, he created something so delicate and vulnerable - which is maybe partly seen in your Adolescence or your This Is England, but to me, it felt like a voice that comes from Jack, which is very him, and that he doesn't often allow out or put into his characters."
Paapa noted that the characters are so well written that it's easy to balance their humanity and "otherworldly" qualities.
He explained: "Whether you're in a religious community or not, you can imbue these figures with a kind of otherworldly quality.
"But they are just people. They're people with compassion - David is the guy who wants basketball courts for the community, he wants to be having conversations with people, doing youth work, and making real world change."
He also heaped praise on Jack's writing when it comes to showing such "domestic and ordinary" scenes in special ways.
Paapa added: "Another thing Jack does so brilliantly is write scenes which appear domestic and ordinary.
"You find yourself talking about cauliflowers or scrambled eggs. But there is something extraordinary about the people he creates and imagines, and that he entrusts us to breathe life into."
Falling starts on Channel 4 tomorrow (19.05.26) at 9pm.
