David Cronenberg’s psychological thriller Dead Ringers is regarded as one of the finest Canadian films.
Released in 1988, it stars Jeremy Irons as identical twins Elliot and Beverly Mantle. Gynaecologists who run their own practice, Elliot repeatedly has affairs with his patients, then, when he becomes bored by them, Beverly replaces him as their lovers.
This is only one aspect of renowned playwright Alice Birch’s audacious and subversive remake of the psychological thriller. Not only has she switched the gender of the lead characters, with Rachel Weisz taking on the roles, she’s also extended the 115-minute film into six hour-long episodes.
But while most creatives would be too scared to reimagine any of Cronenberg’s work, let alone one of his finest films, Birch’s history as a theatre, television and film writer always suggested she had the talent to do something new with the story.
The Normal People, Succession, Lady Macbeth and Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again writer uses the tale to examine and challenge old medical practices and ethics, and instead focus on women’s health care. Rather than feeling indebted to the original, Birch’s remake feels like its own story.
Bafta and Tony winner Jennifer Ehle, who portrays Rebecca in the series, always expected Birch to take Dead Ringers to new and unexpected places.
“I’ve always loved her work. I’ve loved her plays. And the script was just extraordinary,” she tells The National over Zoom. “Her scripts are so smart, funny and bonkers. She’s not like anybody else. None of what she has done feels like it’s ever been done before. This is just so fun, dark and smart.”
Emily Meade, who stars in Dead Ringers as Susan, was also immediately impressed by Birch’s take on this bizarre yet intoxicating tale of twins. “She is able to talk about these really interesting macro things ... but then the characters are just written with such nuance. The way she manages to weave in a darkness, a humour and commentary without it being obnoxiously in your face is just so great.”
It wasn’t just the scripts that convinced the actresses to sign up. Another attraction was the opportunity to work with Weisz. “Rachel is one of my favourite actors in the world,” says Ehle, with Meade quickly adding that it was a “complete no-brainer” to sign up for Dead Ringers once she saw Weisz was involved.
While Dead Ringers might sound as though it is very intense and serious, Ehle is keen to stress that it’s also “really fun and super entertaining to watch unfold”. In fact, she believes that it’ll stand up to several viewings, as each episode is full of detail that viewers might have missed the first time around.
Meade actually got to enjoy a little more of Birch’s writing than Ehle. After being cast, Meade reached out to Birch for extra information on her character. Unsurprisingly, Birch was more than forthcoming to the actress, and she emailed “all of this backstory” to her, “which was incredibly helpful”. She adds: “It was just so specific and it made me incredibly prepared from day one.”
While Ehle watched the original film when it was released, Meade decided to avoid Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers as she didn’t want it to affect her performance. However, she has since seen it and she spotted numerous Easter eggs and references that Birch included. “They’re both different,” adds Meade. “But we honour the movie a lot in our show.”
When it comes to Dead Ringers’ release, neither actress has set any benchmark for its success. Ehle even admits that she’s not sure how such success is even measured any more.
“I do think that this is an extraordinary show,” insists Ehle. “I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of it. It felt like there was a lot of magic around from the very beginning.” Meade echoes this sentiment, explaining that as soon as she received the scripts from her agent, the 34-year-old actress was told: “This is what you want to be doing.”
Considering the vast amount of shows that are regularly released by streamers, most of which star big-name stars, Ehle believes that Dead Ringers has all the credentials to attract its own devoted fan-base.
“I hope that audiences will feel that rush of excitement you get when you discover a new show. It can be so exciting, can’t it? Because there is so much content,” continues Ehle. “When you find a show that you can’t wait to watch again and again, it’s such a rush. I hope that this is that for viewers.”
For Meade, Dead Ringers’ mixing of genres, as it goes from drama to thriller to comedy, should also chime with viewers, especially as it also subtly explores thought-provoking thematic content so powerfully, too.
“I hope people find themselves laughing uncomfortably when they watch it. I want them to laugh and think a lot when they watch it. It touches on so many important things. It’s just entertaining and exciting. You won’t want to stop watching it, while, secretly, it forces you to think about bigger things.”
All six episodes of Dead Ringers will debut on Amazon Prime on April 21
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test India won by innings and 53 runs at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner: Arjan, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Jap Nazaa, Royston Ffrench, Irfan Ellahi.
6pm: Al Ruwais Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 1,200m
Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinal.
6.30pm: Shadwell Gold Cup Prestige Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Sanad, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
7pm: Shadwell Farm Stallions Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Patrick Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Canal, Harry Bentley, Satish Seemar.
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
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Rankings
ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)
WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)
Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
The%20specs
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
