Interview with Olivia Vinall
Olivia Vinall plays Julia Blythe in Roadkill.
Published: 7 October 2020
It was exciting to explore the mind of someone so young who has obtained such an important, high-powered position in Downing Street, someone with razor-sharp intellect and judgement who can’t afford to miss a beat.
Tell us about your role in Roadkill?
I play Julia Blythe, Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dawn Ellison.
What attracted you to the role of Julia?
It was exciting to explore the mind of someone so young who has obtained such an important, high-powered position in Downing Street, someone with razor-sharp intellect and judgement who can’t afford to miss a beat. There was also David’s brilliant writing - I've worked with him before on a trilogy of Chekhov plays at Chichester and the National Theatre.
What is Julia’s relationship with the Prime Minister?
She is described by Dawn as her gatekeeper. Julia is her eyes and ears - nothing gets past her, and their relationship is close and trusting. They have a lot in common in that their careers are the most important thing in both their lives.
Could you tell us about Julia’s relationship with Duncan?
Duncan is Special Adviser to Peter Lawrence, Minister for Transport, so he’s in the same kind of role as Julia. They’re both young and highly ambitious, and while they encourage each other there’s also a sense of rivalry between them. Their relationship provides a release from the pressures they face or one another, though I wouldn’t say it’s the same for both parties...
What was it like working so closely with Helen McCrory?
It was wonderful to work with her. I’ve always greatly admired Helen’s work on stage and screen. Her performance in The Deep Blue Sea at The National Theatre was extraordinary and made a deep impression on me.
How would you describe Roadkill and why should viewers tune in?
It’s about the great themes: ambition, power relationships, fighting and winning - the risks politicians take to get to the top, and what the cost to them can be.
Cast and Production Credits
Cast Credits
Hugh Laurie - Peter Laurence
Helen McCrory - Dawn Ellison
Pippa Bennett-Warner – Rochelle Madeley
Danny Ashok - Luke Strand
Millie Brady - Lily Laurence
Shalom Brune-Franklin - Rose Dietl
Sarah Greene - Charmian Pepper
Olivia Vinall - Julia Blythe
Iain De Caestecker – Duncan Knock
Gbemisola Ikumelo - Steff Frost
Sidse Babett Knudsen - Madeleine Halle
Katie Leung - Margaret Moore
Ophelia Lovibond - Susan Laurence
Saskia Reeves - Helen Laurence
Pip Torrens - Joe Lapidus
Patricia Hodge - Lady Roche
Emma Cunniffe - Sydney
Production Credits
David Hare - Executive Producer and Screenwriter
Mark Pybus and George Faber - Executive Producers for The Forge
Michael Keillor - Director and Executive Producer
Andrew Litvin - Producer
Lucy Richer - Executive Producer for the 麻豆社
Rebecca Eaton - Executive Producer for Masterpiece
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