Andrews' original novels have been adapted into an absorbing new narrative.
Jemima Rooper gave The List an inside perspective on playing the series' controversial matriarch throughout her life.
What has it been like to transition between the stage and film and television projects?
It became quite obvious that theater was a closed shop.
I walked in and it was a great fit.
It was the most amazing character, the most amazing play, and I really connected with it.
I would’ve loved to.
It completely steered my career off in a different direction.
There’s nothing like a live theater and being with a gang of other actors and being all together.
Talking about “Flowers in the Attic,” it’s based off of the book series by V.C.
Andrews, and this project begins with the last novel, which is a prequel.
No, I hadn’t.
I recognized the name so well.
Suddenly, you are relating to her and on her side and rooting for her.
That was really intriguing.
I plowed through the scripts like nothing else, which is actually how everyone reads the books.
They are page turners, and there is something that sucks you in.
There’s this incredible alchemy between we don’t have this genre, really, in the UK.
There’s something that grabs you like nothing else.
There’s this wink, or …
It is really fun.
As our series progresses, we were all very …
The first episode was a lot more serious.
You need the roots of truth to invest in these characters.
It’s weirdly escapist.
No, it’s really interesting.
In the UK, we’re really used to doing accents.
I prefer having an accent to do rather than speaking my own voice.
I like to be someone else.
If I’m too much like me, I feel really uncomfortable.
I definitely had to do some work.
We also worked with an amazing dialect coach.
It’s so fascinating.
I would never have thought of the actual occupational effect on the voice.
I feel like American’s probably more accessible than some of the more niche UK accents.
There’s something about it that is in us, in our ear from a young age.
It always feels nicely familiar.
I’d like viewers to know that it won’t all be me.
I’m being really forward.
Each episode has its own vibe, and that’s what is brilliant about it and unique.
You’re suddenly in the 1940s and you get a whole new load of characters and their lives.
[You’ll see] characters, well known characters like Corrine, and then lesser known characters.
It’s very exciting that they’re a new generation coming up.
I hope people stick around to see what happens.
The set was an acting masterclass
There are so many familiar faces in the cast.
Was there anyone you were particularly excited to work with or the chemistry clicked really well with?
He’s someone I’d completely grown up with.
It wasn’t gonna get buried, and I didn’t know what to expect.
He is one of the most delightful people I’ve ever had the pleasure.
I loved working with him.
It was all too brief.
He was an absolute sweetheart.
Kate Mulgrew, she’s a bit of a hero of mine.
That was probably the one that meant the most to me.
She is a powerhouse.
She’s the most laser-sharp mind.
Everyone’s got to guess who they are.
One plays young Mal at a certain time, and one plays young Joel.
That’s so exciting.
Was it fun to have them on set?
Do you see them becoming little actors?
The younger one was a five month old baby at the time and has no clue.
You see a bit of his head at one point.
He was good as gold.
They kept it in the show, and it kills me.
“Flowers in the Attic: The Origin"premieres on Lifetime July 9th at 8:00 p.m.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
