Molly Smith Metzler was first handed a copy of Stephanie Lands bookMaid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mothers Will to Surviveduring her time in theShamelesswriters room.
Metzler had just written a play on motherhood calledCry It Out,and was the prime candidate forMaid EPs John Wells and Margot Robbie to adapt Lands story, roughly based on her life as a poverty stricken single mom battling the governments red tape of benefits.
The protagonist, Alex Russell (played by Margaret Qualley), also goes up against her abusive partner, Sean (Nick Robinson), in trying to land custody of their toddler girl Maddy; a role which he totally isnt fit for, despite the system ruling in his favor.
In addition to being a story about the forgotten class, says Metzler, even larger is this issue of emotional abuse and domestic violence inMaid.
During the pandemic, domestic violence reached a crisis level; people were trapped at home with their abusers. We need to start to talk about these issues and now is a pregnant time for it, says Metzler on todays Crew Call.
Qualley read for the role and immediately Metzler wanted her for it: She was so raw and unaffected(she brings) joy and dignity in the most humiliating scenes.
One of the great prizes of the Netflix limited series which dropped last fall is watching Qualley perform opposite her mother, Andie MacDowell, who plays Alexs artist mom, Paula. Qualleys Alex is the more mature and level-headed in crisis situations to her more liberal, carefree, and selfish matriarch. Metzler shares how that dynamic casting came to be.
Listen to our conversation with Metzler below:
See the article here:
