She had to be in his orbit... She commits herself to Siegfried knowing his sexuality
Terence Davies’ latest film studies gay wartime poet Siegfried Sassoon and his relationship with his wife Hester, played by Kate Phillips.
ACTRESS Kate Phillips is no stranger to the world of period dramas. Her breakout role as Henry VIII’S third wife, Jane Seymour, in hit BBC series Wolf Hall saw her propelled into the public consciousness, and appearances as Linda Shelby in Peaky Blinders and Princess Mary in Downton Abbey have cemented her position as a go-to where historical roles are concerned.
Her considered manner and eloquent responses align perfectly with the latter of those on-screen characters, chatting over Zoom with the utmost poise. Conversation centres around her latest feature-length project, Benediction – another period drama, albeit a somewhat contemporary take, shot through the eyes of Bafta-nominated screenwriter Terence Davies.
“I think what’s so exciting, particularly about bringing moments of history to the now, is that you’re bringing what feels like a sepia, grainy [image] from the history books and you’re making it vivid,” says Kate. “It’s reminding you that the people who walked those paths are no different to you or I – and that, for me, is the joy of playing characters that once existed.”
Delving into the life of revered First World War poet Siegfried Sassoon, it’s a cinematic offering from Davies (A Quiet Passion, The Deep Blue Sea) that places the private life of the writer under the microscope. Aside from intersplicing Siegfried’s frontline experiences with snapshots of his literary development and notably his stance as a conscientious objector, Benediction focuses on the poet’s confliction when it comes to social conformity and homosexuality.
Led by Dunkirk star Jack Lowden as a young Siegfried, Benediction sees 33-year-old Kate star as Hester, Siegfried’s wife, during her youth.
Former Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi embodies the poet during his latter years, and Bridget Jones actress Gemma Jones continues the role of Hester into old age. War Horse star Jeremy Irvine plays renowned British entertainer Ivor Novello, part of a cast list bursting with revered names.
Describing the notable lack of written material when it came to researching the role, Kate explains that “a few little remarks” from Hester’s acquaintances were all she had to go off. That being said, intimate images of the couple were in abundance. Looking through candid photographs of the pair ahead of filming – images Kate describes as “beautiful freeze frames of their life together” – the actress explains that part of the thrill of embodying a onceliving figure comes from the fact “you can’t hide behind the character”.
“This person had a whole life,” says Kate. “She was a poet, she was in that world, an artist in her own right and just so utterly drawn to [Siegfried] and his soul and ability.”
Embarking on marriage in spite of the poet’s admissions of homosexuality, Kate describes Hester and Siegfried’s connection as one built upon mutual respect and admiration.
“She just needed to be in his orbit,” says the actress, describing the pair’s journey as a “fascinating thing to try and understand”.
Kate adds: “She commits herself to Siegfried knowing his sexuality, which is an amazing commitment to make.”
A monumental life decision that encouraged the Downton Abbey actress to pursue a better understanding of Hester, Kate says the pair’s “rich and vibrant” relationship became a point of “fascination” for her, despite the sadness that loomed on the horizon.
A time-hopping affair, Benediction unfurls the life of a man who witnessed the horrors of conflict whilst fighting on the Western Front. Admired by his fellow servicemen and the British aristocracy alike, Siegfried went on to be awarded the Military Cross for his wartime efforts.
However, the sights the poet witnessed ultimately led him to become a staunch critic of the war.
Penning a scathing letter to his commanding officer announcing he would not perform any further military duties, his words went on to divide opinion in both the House of Commons and across the media landscape.
It’s a letter that famously read: “I am making this statement as an act of wilful defiance of military authority because I believe that the war is being deliberately prolonged by those who have the power to end it.”
His objections could have ultimately seen Siegfried courtmartialled, the decision was instead made to send the former soldier to Craiglockhart, a war hospital near Edinburgh.
Going on to be diagnosed with “shell shock”, the poet spent much of his time reflecting not only on the conflict, but the distinct sense of non-conformity he felt. “Something that I think Terence [Davies] himself brings to this particular film is he talks a lot about being an outsider,” says Kate.
“I think that’s what brings the kind of rich sadness to so many of the films that he makes. That’s true as well of Hester and the subsistence of loneliness that we all feel in our lives.”
Describing Davies as “one of our greatest directors”, Kate says her knowledge of his past work – notably A Quiet Passion about American poet Emily Dickinson – gave her a real sense of “what he wanted to create”.
Noting that Benediction was a “really satisfying project” to be a part of, the actress ends by referencing the palpable sense of isolation expressed by both Davies and Siegfried alike. “That’s something I felt like I personally can connect to – and I think that’s certainly what audiences will take away with them too.”
Benediction is in cinemas on Friday