Maddie Salters interviews Zoe Richards about her role as Jenny Dolly in Mr Selfridge Season 4.
Wealth, sensuality, shopping, and scandal: ITV’s Mr Selfridge has been gripping British viewers for three seasons now, and on Friday, January 8th at 9pm, the series’ fourth and final season will premier. The period drama has been a roller coaster ride through war and romance, following the rise and fall of its titular character, the London retail magnate Harry Selfridge (played by Jeremy Piven).
Season 4 will feature what the Season 3 finale teased at: the arrival of the infamous Dolly Sisters, a pair of identical twin dancers who lit up the hearts and stages of Europe in the vaudeville days. Starring in the role of Jenny Dolly, a tragic and romantic figure that shapes the destiny of Mr. Selfridge and his brand, is Zoe Richards. The up-and-coming actress has tackled roles on the big screen from How to Become a Criminal Mastermind to Get Him to the Greek. For her dynamic return to television for this whirlwind part, I interviewed Zoe to discuss life on set, the rigours of acting as a career, and how she prepared for bringing Jenny Dolly’s rich and sensational story to life for millions of viewers.
The katana-wielding, poetry-writing actress dove right in, showing just much spirit and energy as Jenny herself.
You’ve been cast as one of the famously-infamous Dolly sisters. How would you describe your take on Jenny Dolly? What motivates her, and what might surprise audiences to learn about her?
The Dolly sisters were the first theatrical types to be accepted socially, and basically the first “movie stars”. Due to the large amounts of money Harry Selfridge lavished on the sisters they have been accused of contributing to his financial downfall, but I don’t agree that the sisters ever set out to make a fortune from Harry. They were famous on the vaudeville and music hall circuit on both sides of the Atlantic before they even met Harry Selfridge, and had a huge earning power of their own. I discovered a masculinity and independence in Jenny that wouldn’t allow me to portray her as just a gold digger. She may have been motivated partly by money, but the girls were performers and loved to dance, so money was simply a product of their success and recognition of their prestige.
I feel Jenny was excited by taking risks: she had a passion and huge skill for gambling, winning thousands a night. She spent her winnings on a diamond collection which she later had to sell… for surgery.
Of course, no spoilers allowed, but Harry Selfridge’s infatuation with Jenny Dolly was a huge factor in his downfall. Can fans expect dramatic twists to come from their relationship? Will they be surprised by Season Four’s revelations?
I think they will be surprised by a lot in Season 4. There is drama, gambling, sex, drugs, and the razzmatazz of the roaring twenties. This is the final series and it has everything… It is definitely going to go out with a bang!
Ultimately, what do you think will be the fan reaction to Jenny? Will fans sympathize with her, love to hate her, or despise her? What do you hope is the reaction?
Part of your job as an Actress is to portray your character as naturally and genuinely as possible. I felt a huge responsibility to do the real life Jenny Dolly justice. Similar to Harry, Jenny had a life of extreme highs and tragic lows. I hope fans of the show will see the fragility that I found in her.
How do you get inside a character’s mind, and empathize with them? What did you do to prepare for Jenny, who is based on a real person, versus how you prepare to take on the role of a fictional character?
It was an honour to be playing one of history’s first well known actresses. I also felt an immediate empathy for her personal story. Factual research about the character’s real life helps, but you also have to allow for artistic license. Whilst you can prepare a character closely to the real life person, you are still an actor and must ultimately serve the script and work within its parameters. You have to find the “faction” – the synergy between fact and fantasy. I also learnt to play baccarat and poker which I enjoyed a little too much!
How do you prepare for a period piece like Mr. Selfridge? Did you do any research into era ahead of time?
I hadn’t seen the show before auditioning for it and instead of watching it I decided to listen to the music of the time, look at the artwork, and watch the dances and the silent movies. I wanted to feel how the real life Jenny felt when she danced to that music. I also watched a lot of Marx Brothers. The Dollies were trained to dance by the provocative choreographer and impersonator Gertrude Hoffman, famous for her “Dance of the Seven Veils” in Salome– so [I knew] there was undoubtedly a comic and raunchy side to their shows.
What might people be surprised to learn about filming on the Mr. Selfridge set? Were there any on-set hijinks, or rituals?
There was this thing called the “Schnapper board”. A ritual started by the guys in the crew. It had something to do with reaching certain numbers on the clapper board and drinking peach schnapps after we wrapped for the day. I remember the schnapps bit!
What did it feel like to be cast in such a major role, and for such a popular show?
It was so exciting to be cast. I hadn’t watched the show until I was confirmed for the role and then I started watching it before filming began. I was finding out spoilers as I was filming because things and relationships had already changed by Season 4. All of the cast are so skilled and experienced and it was a real pleasure working with everyone. There is also a genuine friendship between all of the departments, which made it feel like the Mr. Selfridge family.
In regards to yourself, when did you know you wanted to be an actress?
When I was a squirrel in Charlie and the Chocolate factory at school. I was 6. I also used to watch my sister practice for her Lamda grades and in plays, so she inspired me.
What has been the most surprising challenge, and what has been the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The most rewarding is that feeling you get when you forget yourself and really feel present in the skin of your character for even just a moment in a scene. The most challenging I would say was learning to do flapper girl dancing for Mr. Selfridge.
What is the biggest difference between filming for television, and filming for a movie? Do you have a preference?
I prefer TV at the moment because you have a longer period of time to develop and take your character to different places over the duration of filming a series.
The most difficult question!: What would be your dream role?
Honestly, playing Jenny turned out to be a dream role. I would also love to play Desdemona in Othello.
Do you do anything interesting to warm up before going on set, or have any pre-work rituals or superstitions?
My wonderful makeup artist gave me a gemstone that I ended up bearing in my bra for quite a bit of the series!
Thank you for your time, Zoe! Looking so forward to watching you in Season 4 of Mr. Selfridge, in this amazing and much-anticipated role!
