Jonny Campbell is the BAFTA winning director of the cult zombie hit IN THE FLESH and has directed the fan favorite television series, DOCTOR WHO, and he is now bringing his dark comedic sensibility to the HBO/BBC adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s bestselling novel, ‘THE CASUAL VACANCY.’
THE CASUAL VACANCY is a story of a village tearing itself apart, revealing the townspeople’s idiosyncrasies, and addressing social responsibility and one’s response to the poor and disadvantaged. At times darkly funny, it portrays a town whose residents are selfishly stuck in their beliefs and traditions, unaware they have the power to change. This sadly comical selfishness comes to play an important role as events unfold.
-Interview by Shahab Zargari
This was a co-production with HBO and the BBC. How was your experience working with HBO different than your past endeavors?
Having the added element of a second broadcaster in the mix was new to me, but being a huge fan and admirer of the work HBO produces the collaboration was something I was looking forward to. At the same time, I was a little trepidatious given that serving two masters (as it were) can be a tricky exercise creatively. I needn’t have worried though, since there was a most rewarding merging of minds across the Atlantic. Kary Antholis and Brad Saunders were incredibly supportive and gave consistently insightful notes into the adaptation.
How did this project land in your lap?
I guess I must be in the BBC’s good books – I’ve worked for them quite a lot over the past few years. My previous two shows had both picked up Bafta awards too, which helped. But ultimately I hope that they saw something in my previous work, which resonated with the story they were wanting to tell.
Had you read the novel (or any of Rowling’s work) before being offered, Sarah Phelps’ adaptation to The Casual Vacancy?
I hadn’t read TCV but had read Harry Potter.
Why should our readers give this 3 part miniseries a chance?
1) It’s adapted from the first adult novel written by the most famous writer on the planet.
2) She has important things to say about society in general and human beings in particular.
3) There’s dark comedy and tragedy and dozens of characters, played by the cream of British acting alongside some very promising newcomers.
4) It has some of the most thoughtful, poetic and memorably funny lines of dialogue I have ever had the pleasure to direct.
5) It’s set in some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain, shot with vintage lenses to give it a timeless/dreamy filmic quality.
6) It has provoked and divided peoples opinions.
7) It’s only three hours! Form an opinion. Any more???
What are you working on now that you can talk about?
My six-pack.
Haha! Thanks a lot Jonny. Keep up the great work!
The three-part miniseries has already garnered glowing reviews in the UK. The first two episodes will air in the US on April 29 with the third on April 30.
HBO’s “The Casual Vacancy” Trailer:
