This story contains plot points from the finale of1923on Paramount+.
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DEADLINE:How did you first book the role?
HELEN MIRREN: I think the original approach came through my agent.
Helen Mirren as Cara in the Paramount+ series ‘1923’Emerson Miller/Paramount+
And as one normally does, you say Oh thats interesting.
I would love to read a script.
And he said, Oh no no no there is no script.
‘Mosquito Coast’ (1986)Everett
How can I agree to something if I havent read a script?
He should know who I am.
I went to meet with him in Texas and had a wonderful time.
I knew of his work withHell or High WaterandWind River.
I thought his work was extraordinary.
He came with huge credentials as far as I was concerned.
I just really enjoyed his company.
So I thought, Yeah okay and Ill jump in the deep end and have a go.
DEADLINE:Did he tell you what to expect, what would happen in the story?
MIRREN: No it wasnt that.
Just a general chit-chat, which I thought was really great.
He had written specifically to my strengths, if you like.
I thought of making her Irish because America very much in those days was a country of immigrants.
I wanted to heighten that fact.
He said, Absolutely.
And off we went.
They came from Poland.
So there wouldve been this absolute mishmash of different accents and different cultures and different foods.
That was how America was born.
DEADLINE:Youve worked with Harrison before.
DEADLINE:Had Taylor already booked Harrison by the time he talked to you?
MIRREN: Well, we dont quite know.
Harrison says that I was asked first and then he agreed because I had agreed [laughs].
So were not quite sure which came first, but I think its a wonderful pairing.
We love each other very much as people.
Theres just no two ways about it.
DEADLINE:Did Taylor send you to Cowboy Camp?
MIRREN: I did go to Cowboy Camp.
I said at the beginning that I dont ride.
I mean, Ive been on the back of a horse many times, but Im not a rider.
Ive never really learned properly how to ride.
That was my Cowboy Camp.
I have to give enormous kudos to the camera crews because they worked so hard.
DEADLINE:Was Taylor out there much with you?
MIRREN: No, Taylor was writing.
But we had two really great directors, specifically Ben Richardson, who I know Taylor really loves.
He was originally a cinematographer, which is why it looks so very beautiful.
Both of our directors were wonderful and trusted by Taylor, which I think is very important.
Without being there on the set, Taylor is very hands-on.
Hes very deeply involved in the creation of the world.
Thats when I feel like screaming to the heavens, Why, God, why?
DEADLINE:Cara is pretty much salt of the earth, right?
Everyone loves her and vice versa.
MIRREN:Its interesting.
Doing this sort of work is a journey into the unknown.
We have the first four episodes and we dont know whats going to happen in the next four.
Im fascinated to see where Cara is going to go.
Taylor did say she is very much of her era, shes looking after the house.
That is what her job is.
But then he said, Wait, things are going to happen.
MIRREN: No, that came later.
His concept was always this was going to be a 10-hour movie, basically.
Now its becoming a 20-hour movie.
DEADLINE:Looking back on the season, what scene did you find the most exhilarating?
There was another scene that I absolutely loved that involved a drone.
It wasnt a scene, but a drone shot of me driving the buggy through the mountains.
They didnt want to have any camera crew or anyone.
It was just raw countryside, with me and my buggy and two guys on horses.
We were in the middle of nowhere.
Also, shooting in downtown Butte, which is a town built in this era.
Architecturally, its perfect for our needs.
DEADLINE:This series had three major plot lines goingat all times!
MIRREN: Each story was so powerful.
Likewise, the Catholic schools for the Indian children.
That was very accurate.
Thats been very hard to watch and hard to read.
DEADLINE:What does your gut tell you about what will happen in the new season?
MIRREN: I think Spencers gonna show up pretty quickly.
He made a great storyline, which was really beautiful to watch.
I hope Spencer comes home soon, though.
I dunno how many more letters Ive got in me.
