All Souls Trilogy Re-read discussion

Deb has announced that the BBC is developing a series based on ADoW, but she hasn't been able to share any of the details yet. Since a cast hasn't been announced, we are all free to fantasize about who would make the perfect Diana and Matthew--not to mention Ysabeau, Hamish, and even Peter Knox.

Imagine that you are the casting director, who would you choose to play these indelible creatures? And since we are operating in the realm of the imagination, feel free to timewalk when you choose your cast. Have fun! No era is off limits...

Ever since the first time I read ADOW, I always pictured Matthew Macfadyen playing Mr. Darcy in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice adaptation as Matthew Clairmont. I thought he had the physical characteristics needed to pull off the role,but also the ability to subtlety portray strong and complex emotions.

Okay, here goes. I felt it would be better to have not so famous people in the roles.
Diana- Rosumund Pike would be great, right height, age, and coloring. Matthew- Henry Cavill, I think a lot of people would agree he is the PERFECT Matthew- gorgeous, dark. Ysabeau- Eva Green. There is a lot of talk about Charlize T. for this, but I think she would be too tall, remember the time Ysabeau came from, women weren't that tall. Eva is French and just watch her in her Bond role! Emily- Elizabeth McGovern, tall & earth mother. Sarah- Holly Hunter, she's fiesty & no nonsense. Hamish- Dan Stevens (Paul Bettany is a close second). Miriam- Rooney Mara, very petite but fierce(think Girl With the Dragon Tattoo). Marcus- Beau Mirchoff, gorgeous California type. Peter Knox- Donald Sutherland. Marthe- Lynn Cohen (Magda from Sex and the City). Baldwin- Jai Courtney, blond, Roman-looking. Amira- Gita Reddy. Gerbert- Benoit Magimel. Domineco- Luca Argentero. Sophie- Ellen Page. Nathaniel- Max Thieriot.

Lisa wrote: "Ever since the first time I read ADOW, I always pictured Matthew Macfadyen playing Mr. Darcy in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice adaptation as Matthew Clairmont. I thought he had the physical characteris..."

OMG, I love Matthew MacFayden!! I watch that version of Pride & Predjudice all the time. Every time Darcy comes on screen, I sigh and my husband rolls his eyes! LOL!

Wow. I hope the BBC is following this thread!

I think Gregory Fitoussi would be perfect as Matthew - he's a French actor but has also had English speaking roles. He's in Mr. Selfridge. And I could see Blake lively as Diana.

casting thought:
Matthew - Richard Armitage
suggestions I agree with:
Diana - Rosamund Pike
Peter Knox - Donald Sutherland

Matthew - Richard Armitage
Ysabeau _ Diane Kruger
Baldwin - Michael Fassbender
Miriam - Natalie portman
Marcus - Heath Ledger (it is a fantasy after all)
Hamish - Jeremy Northam
Sarah - Susan Sarandon
Emily - Jamie Lee Curtis
Satu - Tilda Swinton
Peter Knox - Willem Dafoe
Diana - an unknown
Gallowglass- Charlie Hunnam/Chris Hemsworth
Philippe - Viggo Mortenson

Lisa wrote: "Okay, here goes. I felt it would be better to have not so famous people in the roles.
Diana- Rosumund Pike would be great, right height, age, and coloring. Matthew- Henry Cavill, I think a lot of p..."

How funny. I totally had the same two cast as Diana and Matthew. I think Rosumund and Henry would be perfect.

Angela wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Okay, here goes. I felt it would be better to have not so famous people in the roles.
Diana- Rosumund Pike would be great, right height, age, and coloring. Matthew- Henry Cavill, I thi..."

HaHa! Great minds think alike!!

Jean wrote: "Matthew - Richard Armitage
Ysabeau _ Diane Kruger
Baldwin - Michael Fassbender
Miriam - Natalie portman
Marcus - Heath Ledger (it is a fantasy after all)
Hamish - Jeremy Northam
Sarah - Susan Saran..."

I was kind of thinking about Chris Hemsworth for Philippe, he is so gorgeous! Alexander Skarsgard would be good for Gallowglass if he could bulk up a bit- he's so tall( and already used to playing a vampire thanks to True Blood).

Count me in the contingent that supports Richard Armitage for Matthew, Michael Fassbender for Baldwin (they are both gingers and Michael can have the "Don't trifle with me!" look that I picture for Baldwin) and Chris Hemsworth/Charlie Hunnam for Gallowglass. I could also see Johnathan Rhys-Meyers or Jude Law for Kit, but I'm sure there are unknowns that could pull off the insolent daemon.

It's really a pity it will take so long for the show to be produced. You've all come up with some really great suggestions and I'm certainly going to ponder your casting choices as our re-read continues. I wish I could timewalk a couple of years ahead to find out how it all turns out!

I had to think long and hard about this fantasy cast so here goes my contribution:
Matthew ,Lee Pace, I know he's not French, but I think he has the size and commanding presence to pull it off
Diana Rachel McAdams or Diane Kruger
Hamish Ewan Mcgregor
Gallowglass Jai Courtney
Satu Eva Green
Phillipe Lambert Wilson
Peter Knox Toby Stephens he does menacing so well
Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell
Emily Jennifer Connelly
Ysabeau Lea Seydoux or Marion Cotillard
Baldwin Gary Oldman
Christopher Roberts Anthony Mackie
Sophie Michelle Rodriguez
Nathaniel Chris Colfer

I decided I needed rethink this in terms of archetypes. Let's face it Grace Kelly would have been Diana to a T! Alain Delon would be the perfect Phillipe. Jeanne Moreau Ysabel. Errol Flynn could have done Matthew in looks, but not sure he could have done the reserved menace needed for his character. What do some of you think?

I feel saddened now that Julie said it's a pity it wil take so long for the show to be produced.

how about Clive Owens for Matthew (imagine him very pale), Gerard Butler for Philippe, and Cate Blancett for Isabeau.

Jeanne Moreau as Ysabeau is brilliant.

Angela wrote: "I feel saddened now that Julie said it's a pity it wil take so long for the show to be produced."

I'm sorry, Angela! I do, however, think that it will be worth the wait. Matthew and Diana set a fine example of how anticipation can heighten pleasure... In the meantime, we have the books to provide solace.

I love your suggestions, and--as I re-read--I am holding an imaginary casting session in my mind. "Please read that line again, Richard. This time with more menace."

Julie wrote: "Deb has announced that the BBC is developing a series based on ADoW, but she hasn't been able to share any of the details yet. Since a cast hasn't been announced, we are all free to fantasize about..."

Okay here goes my 2 cents:

Matthew: Stanley Weber / Mark Ryder
Diana: Malin Akerman
Emily: Susan Sarandon
Sarah: Kristin Bauer van Straten
Gallowglass: Sam Hueghan / Travis Fimmel
Phillipe: Chris Hemsworth
Ysabeau: Diane Kruger
Peter Knox: David Tennant
Baldwin: Jamie Dornan
Hamish: Colin Farrell

I missed in in theaters, but recently saw Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive. They're rather more louche than the AST vampires, but I loved their style. I also wondered what it is about Christopher (Kit) Marlowe that makes him such an excellent creature.

Since Julie mentioned older (dead) actors for the role, I had been thinking about this. Saturday I watched the Robe and was looing at Richard Burton and thinking what a great Matthew he would have been. Not quite tall enough, but there never stopped anyone in the movies!

Gerarad Butler perfect for philippe. I would take him for Mathiew also. ;-) rachelle lefevre as diana bishop, A. Skaragard excellent as baldwin, kevin mckidd as Galowglass, ema green ysabeau, sam claflin as marcus, mila kunis as miriam...

Lisa wrote: "Okay, here goes. I felt it would be better to have not so famous people in the roles.
Diana- Rosumund Pike would be great, right height, age, and coloring. Matthew- Henry Cavill, I think a lot of p..."

Rosumund Pike is absolutely perfect for Diana! So agree with this. And your choice in Matthew and Ysabeau are perfect as well! Don't agree with your Marcus though. Not tall en lean enough. Too muscular :p