Ep. 35 - Pearl Mackie Reimagines Honour in TOM JONES
Pearl Mackie as Honour Newton with Sophie Wilde as Sophia Western in the PBS MASTERPIECE reimagining of Henry Fielding’s TOM JONES. Photo credit: PBS MASTERPIECE
…This is two Black women in a period drama. And it’s talking very much about them being Black women and the realities of their journey.
Pearl Mackie
In Ep. 35 we’re talking with PEARL MACKIE about the PBS MASTERPIECE mini series TOM JONES. Pearl Mackie plays Honour Newton, the worldly-wise trusted lady’s maid of Sophia Western (Sophie Wilde) in a 4-part reimagining of Henry Fielding’s comic novel, The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, published in 1749. We discuss the dynamics of Honour and Sophia’s relationship, the challenge of wearing a corset when riding a horse, and living as two Black women from different social standings in mid-18th century England.
Meet PEARL MACKIE
Pearl Mackie is a British actress who grew up in Brixton in South London. She earned her degree in drama from the University of Bristol and continued her studies at the Old Vic Theatre School.
Pearl Mackie has performed extensively on stage. She made her professional acting debut in the 2011 production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” She’s performed in stage productions of “The Birthday Party,” “The Crucible,” and will appear in the National Theatre’s production of “Grenfell: In the Words of Survivors,” Gillian Slovo’s play based on testimonies from residents of London’s Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Pearl Mackie’s television credits include DOCTORS, THE LONG CALL, and animated series BEST AND BESTER, and LLOYD OF THE FLIES.
But she’s best known for her role as Bill Potts, Doctor Who’s first openly queer companion, in the 12th DOCTOR WHO British Sci Fi time travel series.
In addition to PBS MASTERPIECE’s TOM JONES, Pearl Mackie can also be seen in the Netflix series THE DIPLOMAT.
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TOM JONES - MASTERPIECE’s Reimagining of Henry Fielding’s 1749 Novel
MASTERPIECE’s adaptation gives a new twist to the tale of Tom Jones, a young man, who was abandoned as an infant, and falls in love with a beautiful heiress Sophia Western. Solly McLeod stars as Tom, with Sophie Wilde as Sophia, the object of his infatuation, and Hannah Waddingham (TED LASSO) plays the iconic seductress Lady Bellaston. The series brings mid-18th-century England to life in all its passion and prejudice, luxury and loose morals.
TOM JONES is written by Gwyneth Hughes (VANITY FAIR, MISS AUSTEN REGRETS), and directed by Georgia Parris (MARI).
In addition to Pearl Mackie, the cast includes Shirley Henderson and Alun Armstrong as Aunt Western and Squire Western, James Fleet and Felicity Montagu as Squire Alworthy and Bridget Alworthy Blifill, James Wilbraham as William Blifill, Daniel Rigby as Partridge, and Dean Lennox Kelly as Black George.