The acting world is abuzz with speculation that Geordie-born star Andrea Riseborough could be heading for another Oscar nomination following her powerful performance in the dark British thriller Dragonfly.
From Thatcher to Troubled Loner
The 43-year-old actress, previously nominated for Best Actress in 2023 for To Leslie, transforms into downbeat loner Colleen in this latest project from award-winning writer and director Paul Andrew Williams. The film enjoyed a memorable opening night at the Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle, marking a homecoming for the Whitley Bay-born star.
Riseborough's remarkable versatility has seen her portray figures ranging from Margaret Thatcher to Wallis Simpson, but her role as Colleen represents a stark departure from such glamorous characters. Audiences see Colleen navigating the shops of a northern housing estate dressed in sweat tops, jeans and trainers, with her loyal but fearsome American bulldog Sabre constantly by her side.
An Unlikely Friendship Turns Dark
The film's narrative centres on Colleen's move next door to Brenda Blethyn's character Elsie Roberts. What begins as a story of neighbourly friendship gradually evolves into something much darker and more complex. Colleen's troubled background reveals she was abandoned by her mother and brother at just eight years old, taken into care, and eventually lived on benefits.
Williams admitted giving his stars considerable freedom to interpret his script, stating: "I was extremely fortunate to have two such brilliant actors. It is really special when people do inhabit your work. It was their own interpretation, and I could see it looking at the monitor."
The film, partially inspired by the Covid crisis, explores themes of loneliness that bring the two lead characters together. Colleen, who has no friends and spends all her time with Sabre, begins running errands for Elsie, whose only regular visitors before Colleen's arrival were care nurses.
Critical Acclaim and Personal Milestones
Both Riseborough and Blethyn have already received nominations for a Tribeca film award for their work together. Riseborough expressed her delight, saying: "I would never in my life imagined that I would ever be nominated with Brenda Blethyn. It is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I was married last month."
The actress fell in love with French-Lebanese actor Karim Saleh on the set of Luxor in 2020. Both she and Blethyn revealed they found the script for Dragonfly too compelling to refuse.
Blethyn, 79, had just completed her final appearance as Vera in the hit ITV series and was preparing for time off when the opportunity arose. Riseborough told audiences during a Q&A at the Tyneside Cinema that she was determined to take the part because the script was "so beautifully done, so beautifully written, and extremely moving."
The film takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of John (Jason Watkins), Elsie's son, leading to an unforgettable ending that has captivated audiences.
Mutual Admiration Between Co-Stars
Both Blethyn, twice Oscar-nominated for Secrets and Lies (1997) and Little Voice (1999), and Oscar winner Kate Winslet, who worked with Riseborough in Lee, paid tribute to their co-star's chameleon-like abilities.
Winslet marvelled: "She is gentle and sparkly, but then opens her mouth in character and wham! You are given an entirely alternate universe with one breath, or a small adjustment to her posture. Even her eyeballs change shape, for God's sake!"
Blethyn admitted she wanted to do Dragonfly as soon as she discovered she would be acting opposite the Geordie-born star. "She is brilliant, she is a chameleon," Blethyn said. "Someone called me that once and I was very flattered by that, but then I saw her at work."
Both actors previously worked with Mike Leigh and brought similar approaches to their craft, not divulging anything they didn't need to know. Riseborough described how they would film emotionally charged scenes towards the end of the film, "then talk about ginger biscuits" during breaks.
A Homecoming with Emotional Significance
Riseborough's parents George, a car salesman who passed on his love of film, and Isabel, a secretary who loved Shakespeare, attended the opening night at the Tyneside Cinema with their daughter.
The actress spoke emotionally about returning to the cinema where she saw many of her favourite films growing up: "I can't tell you how much it means to me. I saw so many films here growing up, so many incredible pieces of cinema in this room. I'm looking at the first person who played my dad when I was nine, here in the audience. And remember daddy is here as well. There really are no words."
Riseborough gave up her A levels to pursue acting and never looked back, building an impressive career that now includes this potentially Oscar-nominated performance. She admits that her body sometimes feels sore from the physical demands of her characters, noting that playing Mrs Simpson was painful "from the waist down."
Dragonfly is now on nationwide release, offering British audiences the chance to witness what could be another award-winning performance from one of the UK's most versatile acting talents.
