Great Expectations star Fionn Whitehead shares ‘hysterical’ memory of filming with co-star Rudi Dharmalingam – as critics criticize ‘sexed-up’ BBC adaptation
Fionn Whitehead said he ‘couldn’t stop laughing’ as he filmed the new BBC adaptation of Great Expectations with his co-star Rudi Dharmalingam.
The new BBC adaptation – which also stars Olivia Coleman as Miss Havisham and Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella – has been criticized by TV viewers and critics for being ‘sexed up’.
Fionn, 25, who plays Pip on the show, told The Daily Star about the fun the cast had behind the scenes filming the Charles Dickens classic.
He and Rudi Dharmalingam shared a moment where they went into ‘hysterics’ while filming a scene in the racy drama.
He said, “One of the days I got hysterical and couldn’t stop laughing.
‘Hysterical’: Fionn Whitehead said he ‘couldn’t stop laughing’ while filming the BBC’s Great Expectations (pictured with Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella)
Co-star banter: Rudi Dharmalingam, who plays Wemmick, shared a hilarious moment with Fionn
“There was a shot of Rudi, who is hilarious by nature, and all he had to do was put butter on a piece of toast…
“But the intense eye contact he made with me, as he spread the butter, hurt me and I just couldn’t keep it together.”
Rudi plays Wemmick, Jaggers’ assistant, who keeps Pip company while he moves to London.
And speaking of Oscar winner Olivia Coleman, Fionn emphasized how different she is from her “intimidating” character Miss Havisham, calling her “incredibly sweet, kind and hilarious.”
BBC One’s Great Expectations has been met with controversy since it first aired last month.
The Dickens Fellowship released a scene in which Mr. Pumblechook is bare-bottomed over a bed by dominatrix-turned-housewife Mrs. Gargery.
Meanwhile Nick Knowles slame the show saying it’s “unnecessarily salacious” and a “car accident.”
The DIY SOS star, 60, wondered ‘why are we sexing period dramas’ as he launched into a furious tirade on Monday.
He aired his thoughts on Twitter, revealing that he eventually “turned off” the series that “didn’t live up to its name.”
Screen: Written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen Knight, the series stars Fionn Whitehead as Pip and Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham (pictured)
Shocking: Nick’s criticism of Great Expectations comes after the Dickens Fellowship destroyed a scene where Mr. Pumblechook is bare bottomed by dominatrix Mrs. Gargery
Screenwriter Steven Knight has sexed the story with a nod to topics he believes the author alluded to but was unable to explore in 19th-century Britain.
Explaining the decision to embellish the story, Knight said he was trying to imagine “that Dickens was now writing the story and having the freedom to go to those dark places” and asked, “What would he do?” ‘
The Dickens Fellowship, a worldwide association of people interested in the life and work of the classic author, accused Knight of being “insincere.”
Honorary general secretary Paul Graham claimed that Knight was simply embellishing the story to “generate viewers,” adding that Knight’s explanation was “slightly preposterous.”
He said, ‘How can he put himself in Dickens’ shoes and say what he would have done? I think the scenes just seem unnecessary. I don’t know if Dickens would have put in a spanking scene!…Pumblechook is essentially a comic character with no hint of sexual deviance…’
In one scene, Matt Berry is seen bare-bottomed as Mr. Pumblechook is privately spanked by Mrs. Joe Gargery, played by Hayley Squires.
In another, Miss Havisham encourages an 18-year-old Pip to lose his virginity on his birthday.
Written in 1860, Great Expectations follows orphan Pip, who is taken on as a companion for Miss Havisham and her adopted daughter Estella (played by Shalom Brune-Franklin) before moving to London after receiving money from a mysterious benefactor.
Great Expectations continues on Sunday at 9pm on BBC One.