A Thousand Blows actress Erin Doherty has told how Stephen Graham nearly didn’t recommend for the role of Mary Carr in the Disney+ historical drama series, because he thought she spoke like her The Crown character Princess Anne.
Stephen Graham nearly didn’t recommend Erin Doherty for A Thousand Blows, because he thought she spoke like Princess Anne.
The 33-year-old actress portrays the royal in The Crown, and because of her realistic accent Stephen wasn’t sure about Erin appearing in the Disney+ historical drama series – which is based on all-female London crime syndicate the Forty Elephants – because he wanted someone with a local twang.
Speaking on The Graham Norton Show about using her real accent in a role for the first time in A Thousand Blows, she says: “Surprisingly I’ve never been able to use it before, so it was a real joy.
“When Stephen Graham heard I was being considered for the role he said, ‘I don’t think she is what we are looking for,’ because he had only seen and heard me as Princess Anne in The Crown.”
However, he later discovered Erin hails from Crawley, and she was enlisted to portray Forty Elephants leader Mary Carr.
Erin adds: “He was delighted to find out I’m from Crawley!”
Stephen and Erin also co-star in Netflix megahit Adolescence, for which the pair have won countless awards.
Both tasted success at last year’s Primetime Emmy Awards, with Stephen winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, and Erin triumphed in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category.
But her mum told her off for swearing in her Primetime Emmys speech.
She adds: “My mum told me off for swearing.
“I didn’t mean to, but everyone looked so f**king stunning. I’ve promised her I won’t do it again!”
However, Erin risked the wrath of her mother again last weekend, when she won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television at the Golden Globe Awards, because she cursed during her acceptance speech.
She opened by telling the crowd she had “made a promise” to her mum that she wouldn’t say the word “f***”.
The Graham Norton Show BBC One and iPlayer Friday 16th January 10.40pm
Erin Doherty was nearly snubbed for A Thousand Blows role due to Princess Anne accent
