In a vibrant adaptation of Enid Blyton’s 1939 book, The Magic Faraway Tree, Jessica Gunning has brought Dame Washalot to life.
Rising to fame following her award-winning performance in Baby Reindeer, the British actress is showing her range with a more eccentric character. In the film, we see Dame Washalot washing laundry and disposing of the water in the most inconvenient places, but she also announces which magical ‘land’ is at the top of the tree.
“I loved Enid Blyton when I was growing up,” she reflected with The Weekly. “It’s just that idea of the literal faraway tree, the lands at the top. How amazing for a kid to even imagine that? Then to see it come to life in this movie!
“Hopefully, it will equally feel as magical, if not more so.”
Even stepping onto the set was a magical experience for Jessica, who revealed a lot of aspects of the magical tree were real. “There was real wildlife and plants, just to make it feel as believable as possible.”
However, bracing the summer heat in a heavy costume didn’t feel as fantastical…
Joining Jessica in The Magic Faraway Tree were countless A-list stars, enticed by the story’s nostalgia.
Her role as Dame Washalot didn’t see Jessica cross paths with Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Rebecca Ferguson or Jennifer Saunders. She did collaborate with Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, Dustin Demri-Burns, and Oliver Chris.
It was a cast list that gave Jessica “goosebumps.”
“[It was] pretty special,” she said, recalling the moment all the actors sat together for the first time, “I got goosebumps looking at the cast that had been assembled. It’s just some incredible people.”
Despite these child-like adventures, The Magic Faraway Tree was the perfect hit of nostalgia for adults – beautifully balancing whimsical fantasy and stark realities of technology.
Fronting the idea of losing their children to screens are parents Tim, a stay-at-home dad who dreams of growing tomatoes, and Polly, the brilliant engineer.
The family of five, including the three Thompson children: Fran (Billie Gadson), Joe (Phoenix Laroche) and Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), escape chaotic London to live in the peaceful country-side.
“Ben Gregor , the director, always says, ‘It’s not about saying no to technology. It’s about saying yes to adventure’,” Jessica shared.
“Also, embracing feeling bored. I didn’t grow up with iPhones and things, so I was bored all the time as a child. I used to go out and play with friends or siblings, finding games and being imaginative in that way.
“I don’t necessarily think kids do as much [of this] nowadays. Hopefully, that will remind adults of what it was like to be a kid.”
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