Phoebe Dynevor opens up about struggle to 'feel like herself' after determination to do 'justice' to intense role

Netflix star and BAFTA EE Rising Star Nominee Phoebe Dynevor had an 'amazing' reception to Fair Play which dealt with some important but challenging themes.

After rising to fame for her role as Daphne in Bridgerton, Dynevor has gone on to star in another Netflix hit - Fair Play.

Directed by Chloe Domont, the psychological thriller looks at the cutthroat environment of a hedge fund firm and two employees - also a couple - competing for the same role. It deals with heavy themes such as consent, control, the patriarchy, and what it truly means to have power.

Dynevor has since told UNILAD what her experience was like shooting the movie and the impact delving into such themes had on her mental wellbeing as an actor.

Reflecting on the 'amazing' reception to the movie, Dynevor explains it 'was a hit immediately' after premiering at Sundance and since then, 'many people' have come up to her in the street in praise of Fair Play.

The actor tells UNILAD: "I had this one girl who was like 19 and she came up to me, and she was like: 'I work in finance and that's my experience at work'. And like, those interactions are really cool.

"And also people that have [...] been in similar relationships, or a lot of couples have watched it and they've kind of told me like that they had a really long conversation afterwards.

"So I think it was definitely a film that sparks conversation, which I think is always a win."

However, the role was a challenging one for Dynevor to take on.

Dynevor explains she was 'so excited about shooting' the role of Emily because 'there was just so much' she could relate too.

Netflix

However, despite being offered mental health support by Netflix, she adds: "I was so eager to kind of do the script and the character justice that I really didn't think about my mental health and how it would be affected."

The actor explains the film shot in six-day weeks, and some of the filming took place in Serbia in January.

"So it was like all very bleak and very intense and really long days. And I didn't have time really to look after my mental health," she reflects.

Dynevor goes on to note she's 'never really spoken about this' but it took her 'a while' to 're-adjust after shooting' Fair Play.

"Because it's such a high intensity film and to keep that level of intensity up for that many hours, I really struggled sleeping and it was really tough."

Dynevor explains going forward she wants to 'make sure' she isn't 'living in the role as much'.

"Which was what I was doing at the time, I was really living in it," she says. "And yeah, it definitely took me like months to kind of get back to feeling like myself again. [...] It just does take a toll on your mental health."

However, she notes the film had an amazing intimacy coordinator, which was 'really helpful' - particularly for that bathroom scene - a heartbreaking scene to watch and sadly poignant for many women.

Netflix

And with Fair Play's commentary on the patriarchy still unfortunately resonating so much with today's society, it's been 'amazing' for Dynevor to see the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award nominations end up a majority of women - herself being one of them, alongside How To Have Sex's Mia McKenna-Bruce, Talk to Me's Sophie Wilde and The Bear's Ayo Edebiri.

Dynevor resolves to UNILAD: "There is so much space still for these white male actors. And and that's great, because they're all great, and I think I could name like 25 like actors of the same age that are all kind of killing it right now.

"But still there isn't that much room for actresses, like I can like count on my hand the people that are in my age range.

"[...] There was so much talent that came out of last year and I'm so in awe of those actresses and [...] I'm very grateful to be in a category with great actresses that came out of last year and I'm really genuinely excited to see what they all go on to do."

"And Jacob Elordi, of course, I mean, he's Jacob Elordi."

Voting for the EE Rising Star Award is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA until 12pm GMT on Friday 16th February 2024.The winner will be announced at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday 18th February 2024.

‌The EE Rising Star Award is the only category at the EE BAFTA Film Awards to be voted for by the public, reinforcing EE’s commitment to become the UK’s most personal, customer-focused brand by providing the nation with an opportunity to have their voice heard.