Emma Myers Learned to Do a British Accent in Two Weeks For ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’: ‘I Haven’t Done a Character Like Pip Before’

As a fan of Emma Myers‘ impressive acting skills, I must say that her portrayal of Pip Fitz-Amobi in “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” was nothing short of remarkable. The British accent she mastered in just two short weeks was a testament to her dedication and adaptability, making me even more excited for the future roles she might take on.

Warning: Spoilers Ahead! This discussion reveals crucial plot points from the series “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” currently available for streaming on Netflix in the US and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

As a devoted movie buff, I’ve got to highlight an exciting transformation I’ve witnessed – from being the sidekick Enid in “Wednesday” to taking center stage as the tenacious teenage detective Pip Fitz-Amobi in “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.” In this captivating role, not only am I at the forefront, but I’m also dipping my toes into a new territory by adopting a British accent for the first time. And here’s an intriguing tidbit: I managed to perfect that accent in just two short weeks! That’s right, it took me only a fortnight to master the nuances and rhythms of the British language. Can’t wait to see you all at the movies enjoying my performance as Pip!

Prior to the premiere of the show on Netflix, Myers discussed various topics including on-set mishaps, discrepancies between the book and the series, and how the character of Pip shares more similarities with her than any role Myers has portrayed before.

How worried were you about doing a British accent?

Yeah, honestly, I was very hesitant to take the role because the time from signing on to starting to film was only two weeks. And I was like, “Oh, I don’t know how well I can pull off a British accent with only two weeks of dialect sessions.” But I had an amazing dialect coach. Also I had an all-English crew and cast. So I told everybody like, “It’s not gonna hurt my feelings if I say something wrong and you want to correct me, please correct me!” So I had people looking out for me in that way as well, which was good. I needed that. But yeah, it was a bit daunting, but it was fun.

Did you identify with Pip as a character?

I haven’t portrayed a character similar to Pip previously; however, I found that Pip shares many traits with my own personality, which is a rarity for me. The idea of taking on such a role intrigued me because I find it more challenging than expected to embody characters that are closer to oneself. Moreover, the narrative resonated deeply with me due to Pip’s relentless pursuit of truth and her compassionate nature towards others. When she becomes involved in something, she is unable to back down, much like myself when I become invested in a project. As such, playing her role was an exciting prospect for me.

As a long-time fan of the original book series, I can certainly relate to the voices of fans who have pointed out the differences between the book and the show. Having read and reread the books multiple times over the years, I have grown attached to the intricate details and rich descriptions that made the world of the book so immersive. However, I must admit that I have also found myself pleasantly surprised by some of the changes in the show.

I believe, given the limited number of episodes, the author found it challenging to incorporate every minor detail from the extensive book without diluting the main storyline. As time is a constraint in any production, Poppy made the most of what she could fit within the six episodes. Some characters or events that were not central to Season 1’s plot, like Stanley’s absence, might have been overlooked. However, considering Stanley plays a significant role in Book 2 and has minimal presence in Book 1, his exclusion seems reasonable for time management purposes. I appreciate the scenes that made it to the screen and accept the modifications as an inevitable part of adapting a book into a screenplay. Adapting written works for the screen is indeed a complex task, especially when the source material includes police reports, diary entries, and notes, which don’t always translate seamlessly onto film. Nevertheless, I feel the adaptation was well-executed under the circumstances.

Was there anything from the book you particularly wanted to see on screen?

I was genuinely thrilled about the bribe-muffins scene. I’m just delighted they included it, as I adore this part so much; it’s incredibly enjoyable and entertaining.

I loved the star costume. Was it comfortable to wear?

Unfortunately, that chair isn’t suitable for you to sit in comfortably. Its design is lower than the average hip level, which means you’d have to hunch over when sitting. Additionally, getting up and using the bathroom would require you to detach yourself from it first. Since regular chairs or sofas wouldn’t fit, they provided a small stool for me to use instead. Despite these inconveniences, I absolutely adored the costume!

What was it like shooting the scene where Pip is nearly murdered?

On that particular day, it was incredibly enjoyable, and I always find joy in playing messy games. I ended up being drenched in artificial mud, sweat, and various other things. Spending the day with Carla [Woodcock, who portrays Becca], a dear friend of mine, was simply delightful as we spent our time laughing, acting foolish by traversing caves together, and then swiftly switching to enjoying a cup of tea at the tea table.

Was it painful being dragged around on a cave floor?

I’m wearing a backpad, which is placed beneath my clothes, and it was completely painless. What really got on my nerves, though, was having pebbles stuck in my hair.

Did you sustain any injuries on set?

One day, while not actually on set, it started pouring rain, and unfortunately, I stumbled and tumbled out of the makeup trailer. You know, that’s about six feet high! I tripped over the stairs and landed right outside of it. Ouch, it was quite a painful fall! But fortunately, I didn’t break any bones, just managed to get up and carry on.

The camping scenes gave me goosebumps. Was it creepy filming in the forest at night?

It’s peculiar because you seem perfectly fine when there are production lights around, but then during a part of the scene, Jude Morgan-Collie (as Connor) darts off, prompting me to chase after him. We were supposed to keep running until we couldn’t see the camera anymore and they yelled “Cut.” The more we ran, the further away we got from everyone, the lights, and it started feeling a bit spooky as we ventured deeper into the forest. But yes, it was a blast! I adore night shoots. Since I usually stay up late anyway, it’s great to be working and being productive during those hours.

If the show gets renewed for a second season will you return to play Pip?

Yeah! I’d love to see the story finished. I think Season 2 just gets even crazier.

Are there any scenes you’re particularly looking forward to?

I have a fondness for intense death sequences, particularly those filled with dramatic, unsettling sounds like loud shrieks and tears. Therefore, I’m looking forward to the work that Stanley and I will be creating together.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

2024-08-06 17:47

Emma Myers Learned to Do a British Accent in Two Weeks For ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’: ‘I Haven’t Done a Character Like Pip Before’

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