Spoilers aside, Ellie, could you tell us more about your character in the series?
Tony: Don’t spoil anything!
Ellie: My character goes on a huge journey of self-discovery of who she is as a woman, and how she is placed amongst these individuals who go on a quest in Willow. She has to come to terms with a few things she learns about herself. It’s her coming-of-age story, of overcoming self-doubt with determination and extreme bravery.
Tony, you’ve spoken about diversity in big-scale series or movies. Willow has a diverse cast, do you think helps with global viewership?
Tony: Oh yes, absolutely. The original Willow film has diversity in its DNA. Warwick, who was its lead, was an unlikely hero way back then. The series takes the next step forward. You have Amar (Chadha-Patel) who plays Boorman, a reserved, noble character that would usually be reserved for a tall White guy, and then you have me. It’s extremely important for people to be able to see themselves on screen. And the fact that we don’t have to explain anything (diversity-wise), and things are just the way they are, is extremely important. I think it’s helpful for everyone around the world, and for the future. It’s also not just with race – we have three strong, amazing female leads. The damsel in distress is Dempsey, who’s our resident handsome White guy.
Do you have a message for your fans in India, and for Film Companion readers? What should they expect from Willow?
Tony: They should watch the series because it’s fun – it’s a phenomenal time. In a world that has a lot of darkness, this is a fun, escapist show that has a sense of levity. Watch it wherever – snuggled in with a glass of wine or tea, and some snacks. It’s old-fashioned fun, which the world needs more of. I hope you really enjoy it in India.
Ellie: I hope everyone loves the show. We had such a great time making it. We created such wonderful friendships and I hope that chemistry shines through. And yes, there’s hope – a lot of the hope we have in real life is transported into the show. So yes, a lot of hope in Willow – come for that.