Scottish actress Marli Siu has earned widespread critical praise and built a diverse career spanning film, television, and theatre. Her future looks exceptionally bright as she takes on a major role alongside some of the most celebrated names in the entertainment industry.
A Stellar Cast for a Unique Folktale
Ms Siu appears in the upcoming period film Wicker, a project described as a provocative take on The Canterbury Tales. The story follows a fisherwoman, portrayed by Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, whose persistent fish odour complicates her romantic pursuits. In a desperate bid for love, she hires the local basket weaver, played by Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, to craft a husband from wicker.
This wicker creation, brought to life by Alexander Skarsgård, becomes so captivating that it incites intense jealousy among the village women, threatening to upend the community's social structure. The film also features Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, renowned for her portrayal of Princess Diana in The Crown.
Sundance Success and Acclaim
The cast recently gathered at the Sundance Film Festival for a screening, celebrating the acquisition of US distribution rights by Black Bear Pictures. In a lighthearted social media post, Ms Siu joked about her co-stars, writing, ‘There isn’t a group of people I’d prefer to get thrown out of cinemas and not allowed into parties with.’
She plays the prudish sister to Dinklage's basket weaver character and expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, ‘I can’t wait for you to see this film, it’s so good.’ Olivia Colman has also lauded the script, calling it one of her top three favourites ever read.
Insights into the Unconventional Romance
As audiences await the release date, cast members have shared thoughts on the film's bizarre and unconventional love story. Elizabeth Debicki explained her character's arc, noting that witnessing the fisherwoman's bold life choices causes her own unhappiness to surface. Peter Dinklage highlighted his character's outsider status and affection for the fisherwoman, humorously adding that the basketmaker might not even notice her odour.
Marli Siu's Rising Career
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Forres, Morayshire from age four, the 32-year-old Scottish-Chinese actress has amassed an impressive resume since graduating from Edinburgh Napier University in 2015. Recognised as a Screen International Star of Tomorrow in 2018, she won Best Actress in Film at the 2021 BAFTA Scotland Awards.
Beyond Wicker, Ms Siu is set to star in the upcoming BBC comedy series Twenty Twenty Six alongside Hugh Bonneville and fellow Scot David Tennant, further cementing her status as a versatile and in-demand talent in the industry.
