“It seems common for me to play murderers these days,” says Jenna Coleman. Courtesy of Olivia Lifungula/Netflix
LONDON — Jenna Coleman won’t be taking summer vacations this year — which is fitting since her latest film is all about a hellish vacation.
She starred in Amazon’s original “Wilderness” set in Vancouver, where she will be filming until September, before heading to New York, Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon to wrap up filming.
Based on the thriller BE Jones of the same name, the series follows a couple who take a road trip through a U.S. national park to save their marriage.
Coleman’s character Liv sets three challenges that could kill her husband, played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen. It’s a “Gone Girl”-esque story meets a “promising young woman.”
“Right now, it seems common for me to play a murderer,” Coleman said, adding that the film “is actually an amazing examination of relationships. The whole thing is such an emotional journey. That’s why a relationship is There would be such a serious mistake.”
Between shoots, she put herself on a cultural diet, including reading Booker Prize-winning Douglas Stuart’s “Shuggie Bain,” listening to British comedian Adam Buxton Adam Buxton) and watch the sci-fi thriller TV series Severance.
Last summer, Coleman starred in the British crime drama “Vipers,” based on serial killer Charles Sobraj, who preyed on young tourists traveling in Thailand. She plays his sophisticated fashion (and criminal) counterpart Marie-Andre Leclerc.
It was her most acclaimed role to date and a major turning point away from the world of period dramas and soap operas.
“I’ve found that when things are especially dark, you need to be frivolous between scenes,” said Coleman, who also starred in the 2018 psychodrama “Cry.” She described playing the role as an emotional marathon.
“Otherwise, I found it easy to leave [my character] at the door,” she said.
“It felt very unusual in terms of female characters in the genre,” she said of what drew her to the “Sandman” script. Courtesy of Olivia Lifungula/Jenna Coleman
In August, Coleman will join the DC Comics universe in Netflix’s fantasy series Sandman, based on Neil Gaiman’s New York Times bestselling graphic novel.
She will play double roles: mysterious detective Johanna Constantine and 18th century aristocrat Lady Johanna Constantine. There have been many iterations of Constantine’s character, but Coleman took inspiration from Keanu Reeves, who starred in the 2005 film Constantine.
Coleman said her research began with a deep dive into the occult and Latin exorcism.
“It feels very unusual for a female character in the genre,” she said of why the script appealed to her, adding that her characters are all about “deflection and humor, with a deep sense of loneliness. I really What I like about her is that she has an emotional armor.”
Off the set, Coleman lives a more luxurious life, saying she loves luxury brands.
She is an auction lover and regularly browses the online auction site The Saleroom. “I’ve been looking at vintage Chanels and actually signed up for auctions so you can see what’s going on. It’s a great way to find something really old and unusual,” she said.
Her shopping habits have changed over the years, and she is now more discreet in her purchases. “Instagram actually has some really cool places, and the Vestiaire Collective,” Coleman added.
She loves designer brands including Khaite, Batsheva, Rejina Pyo, Nanushka and Lee Matthews. “I’m usually a big fan of patterns, textures and colors, but I’m going for simpler cuts that fit perfectly,” she says.
When Coleman was done shooting a project, she preferred another hairstyle: her hair.
“It’s nice when you [say] ‘I’m back in my own life,’ especially after a long job. It’s the usual process. Otherwise you dye your hair and move on to the next job.”
