Catherine Zeta-Jones drew on Welsh inspirations for new role
The actress imbues her character in 'Kill Jackie' with the spirit and accent of people she knows from Wales.
Catherine Zeta-Jones has revealed that she drew inspiration from people she knows in Wales for her role in the upcoming series "Kill Jackie." The Mumbles native plays Jackie Price, a former cocaine dealer who finds herself targeted by assassins.
This marks Zeta-Jones's first time playing a character with her native Swansea accent and her first time filming a drama in Wales. "I played on people I know in Wales, people who are comedic and the accent makes it funny and real and true, but the character comes from a tough side of Swansea, which we do have as well," she said in an interview with BBC Radio Wales.
The series is based on the book "The Price You Pay," which is set in the United States and features a male protagonist named Jack. Zeta-Jones explained that the creators adapted the story for her character, making Jackie a woman who embodies the same quirks and intensity as the book's Jack. "I told my creative team, I want to play her Welsh. And they went OK," she stated.
She further elaborated on her decision, telling the BBC, "For many reasons. One, I've never played real Welsh Swansea ever, never shot in Wales and I think it would ground me in her character and add nuances that I would know." Zeta-Jones expressed her satisfaction with the choice, adding, "I'm so glad I did it because she's such a great character and I just wanted her to be Welsh."
