Jemima Rooper

OF ‘FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC: THE ORIGIN’ ON LIFETIME

As “Flowers in the Attic: The Origin” approaches its finale, what was your knowledge of the original V.C. Andrews novel when you started the project?

I remember someone telling me a story about a boyfriend who’d accidentally kissed his half-sister, and saying, “Ooh, that’s a bit ‘Flowers in the Attic.’ ” I hadn’t read any of (Andrews’) work until the project came along. I got sent the four (“Origin”) scripts in total, which is really rare – I think normally you just get a scene or whatever – and I just started reading these scripts, and this part

was incredible.

How did the filming go for you?

There were lots of things that were very inconvenient at the time. The job was four months in Romania and I just had a baby,

but because the part was so fantastic, I was like, “I have to at least make a tape (and) have a go (at it).” And then, of course, it all happened. And I then read “Flowers in the Attic” before we started shooting, to try and

get an idea (of it).

I love our project. I love that we get to find out a little bit why this woman has ended up so extreme, and I think it’s a sort of brilliant and believable explanation as to what makes someone behave monstrously. It’s not black and white, and that’s really interesting.

And the part is a total gift.

What do you think of your “Flowers in the Attic: The Origin” character Olivia?

She’s just misunderstood. I sort of sympathize with Olivia, up until maybe the last episode, possibly. Certainly from my point of view, there’s quite the backstory and there’s a lot that happens to her, which you can see

keeps pushing her down this dark path.