Rebecca Ferguson

LADY JESSICA

What excited you about Lady Jessica?

I remember saying to Denis, “So basically you’re asking me to play a queen who can kick ass? How are we going to do this differently? That’s really boring for me.” Then in rehearsal I had the dress on. Jessica was draped over me. I walked in and he said, “Stop. Why are you walking like a queen? You’re a mother. This is the most tormented scenario in your entire life. Where is the bug? Where is the animal in your body?” I mean, the goosebumps…

The pain-box scene is a pivotal moment for Lady Jessica…

The whole balance of this film is: a mother protecting and training a child who she has rebelled against the higher society to create. So when she puts her son through this horrendous test we had so many discussions about: when would you ever put your child through this? The Litany [Against Fear] becomes this mantra that they repeat over and over again, because it’s the only thing that can calm their minds, and control their senses, down to the tiniest little pore – I mean, it’s so beautiful. I remember repeating it over and over again outside that door, and I started muddling up the words. Denis said, “Just go with it.” I think in the film, it actually gets a bit muddled up.

As a Bene Gesserit, Lady Jessica uses the ‘voice’ to control others. Did you know what it would sound like during filming?

No. I don’t think Denis did either. I thought, “Is this going to become mechanical?” There needed to be utter belief and control in the voice. It is nothing but the ultimate truth. It is: “Give me the water.” There is nothing else. You can’t question it. I tried lots of fun versions

[adopts muppet voice] “Give me the water!” He kept on saying, “Stop it. This is not working, Rebecca.” [laughs]

Are you keeping your fingers crossed for

Part Two? I can’t tell you how much I look forward to it. I’m texting Denis far too much. I think he’s muted me from WhatsApp, to be honest. Javier and I keep texting, going, “Dune 2! Dune

2! Come on!” We all want to get into it again. I’ve never experienced that to these heights, to this pure joy. I just want everyone to see it.