Nia DaCosta & Hedda Cast Explain Key Change In Reimagining Of Classic Play

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As a huge film fan, I was really intrigued by Nia DaCosta‘s take on Hedda, a classic story she’s brought to the screen. It’s her adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen play, and she’s made some interesting choices, including a key change to one of the characters. Basically, the movie follows Hedda, a newly married woman, and how she subtly rebels against the expectations placed on her – all unfolding during a single party. It’s the latest version of this story, and DaCosta, known for Candyman, really brings a fresh perspective to it.

The film Hedda, starring Tessa Thompson, Imogen Poots, and Tom Bateman, has received strong praise from critics since its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. This marks Thompson’s first time working with director DaCosta since the film Little Woods. DaCosta’s fresh interpretation of the classic story is a key talking point, notably the decision to reimagine Hedda’s former lover, Eilert Lövborg, as a woman, played by Nina Hoss, known for her role in Jack Ryan.

To celebrate the release of the film, ScreenRant spoke with director Nia DaCosta and stars Tessa Thompson, Tom Bateman, and Nina Hoss about Hedda. Hoss, in particular, shared her enthusiasm for the decision to reimagine the character of Lövborg as Eileen, explaining that it allowed her to approach the story in a fresh and unexpected way, even for dedicated fans of the original play.

I believe audiences will view the character’s arrival as something unexpected and impactful. Her presence really shakes things up for everyone, especially Hedda, and that was the most significant shift for me as an actor.

Bateman noticed that changing the gender of a character created a more complex relationship between George and Lövborg, who were both professional and romantic competitors for the main character’s affection. The actor explained that he believes his character is completely afraid of Hedda, because he doesn’t understand her.

Tom Bateman believes his character feels frustrated, angry, and resentful because the woman he’s interested in refuses to be who he wants her to be. He’s also afraid, because he recognizes she’s doing something he doesn’t comprehend, which leaves him feeling off-balance and insecure. He’s not unintelligent – he understands her actions are beyond his grasp.

Bateman realized changing Eileen’s gender actually enhanced the character’s marital insecurity. With Lövborg portrayed as a man, George felt threatened by his rival’s superior talent. However, making the character a woman intensified the conflict between them, adding another layer of tension.

Tom Bateman explained that the villain is deeply disturbed by the fact that a woman is responsible for his downfall. This is because he fundamentally believes women are inferior to men, and her success completely upends his worldview, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew.

Tessa Thompson & Nia DaCosta Have Their Reasons For Why Hedda Still Captivates Audiences Over A Century Later

ScreenRant asked Tessa about playing Hedda, noting that a writer had described the character as incredibly complex and mysterious. They were curious how Tessa, despite this complexity, managed to understand Hedda so deeply and develop her portrayal.

Tessa Thompson: It’s typecasting. [Laughs] I’m like, finally, a documentary about my life. Kidding.

Nia DaCosta: That’d be so funny. I was like, “Oh, this is Tessa. Play yourself.”

Tessa Thompson believes Hedda Gabler has resonated with audiences for centuries because everyone has hidden, unpleasant parts of themselves. She thinks the society we live in – the way we’re raised and the limits placed on our choices and aspirations – shapes those darker aspects within us.

Even though I don’t always agree with her actions, I believe her core motivation – to live authentically and find meaning in life – is something we can all relate to. That’s where I started when thinking about this. I think everyone has a bit of a darker side, a ‘shadow self’, if they’re honest with themselves. It’s not about doing extreme things, but recognizing those complex parts within us.

ScreenRant complimented Nia on the film’s visuals, noting that while the story is traditionally a stage production, her camera work was exceptional. They specifically praised her use of mirrors in the shots and asked her to discuss the overall visual style she created for the film.

Absolutely! I’m glad you asked. My cinematographer, Sean Bobbitt, and I really enjoy finding new approaches with each film. We always make sure every visual choice reflects the characters, their emotions, and the story’s journey. We even have a running joke on set – we avoid the term ‘coverage’ because we focus on carefully chosen, specific shots. I wanted every frame, every lens choice, and every lighting decision to reveal something about the characters and move the story forward.

Let me quickly talk about the lenses we used. We primarily used two sets. The first was the Hawk C Series – older lenses, but reliable and with a unique look. The second set, the Crystal Expresses, were rebuilt anamorphic lenses and had a really interesting, almost unusual quality. We wanted the visuals to subtly change throughout the party scene, and we aimed to show Hedda’s complicated personality through the way the images looked.

As the party scene continued, we added more of the Crystal Express lenses to enhance the visuals. We even used the 50 close-focus lens – the one we’d used on Tessa as Hedda – to great effect. Every visual decision we made was carefully considered to reflect the story’s progress, the characters’ journeys, and their emotional states. It was a really enjoyable process.

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2025-10-30 22:13