Last Light on Prime Video: Was the series really shot in Paris? Joanne Froggatt responds

Available for a few months in the US on Peacock, the thriller Last Light, which marks Matthew Fox’s big comeback twelve years after the end of Lost, is finally available for a few days in France on Prime Video and has already been placed. In the section of the most watched programs of the platform.

This five-episode mini-series follows the journey of petrochemical expert Andy Yates, an industry expert who finds his worst fears coming true during a business trip to the Middle East. If something disrupts the supply of oil around the planet, it will cause a chain reaction: transport will be paralyzed; supplies will cease to be supplied; And law enforcement would be overwhelmed.

Met at last year’s Monte Carlo TV Festival, actress Joanne Froggatt (The Liar, Downton Abbey) who lends her qualities to Elena, Andy’s wife, returned to our microphone to talk about the series’ more updated themes than ever, her collaboration. The partners of his play and on the filming of Last Light, which took place partly in Paris.

AlloCiné: How will you present Last Light to French audiences?

Joanne Froggatt: Last Light is a thriller that combines action with social and environmental issues. The series follows the aftermath of an eco-terrorist attack that targets the planet’s oil reserves and threatens to destroy the infrastructure of our society and the world as we know it.

The family we follow for five episodes, whose members are played by Matthew Fox, Alythe Ross, Taylor Fay and myself, is scattered all over the world and will do anything to find each other. It’s obviously an incredibly relevant series, with the energy crisis we’re going through. But it is also a very entertaining, exciting and epic series that promises to keep the audience engaged.

How is Elena different from your previous TV and film roles?

Elena is a woman who finds herself immersed in this misery and who has no other choice: she must fight to escape from it. He must use his wits to find a way home and bring his son, who is with him in Paris, to safety as the world descends into chaos. And I must admit that I really enjoyed playing this woman who is ready to do anything to save her family. How he deals with all this is very interesting.

Family is at the heart of the series and you can feel the real chemistry between you and your partners. Did you immediately hit it off with Matthew Fox, Alythe Ross, Taylor Fay and you?

absolutely. In any set, family spirit is usually born quite quickly if you are lucky enough to work with nice and professional people. And that was clearly the case with Last Light. Within days it felt like we had known each other for years.

I was quite motherly to Alice and Taylor, who play Laura and Sam, my character’s children. I immediately liked them, they are incredible actors and young.

And I really enjoyed working with Matthew, I’ve enjoyed his work for a long time. And what I loved is that we both spent a lot of time imagining our characters’ pasts to understand where their marriages are and how they got there. We didn’t have many scenes together, but I really loved doing those family scenes.

What can you tease about how the story unfolds in the episodes?

Obviously I can’t say much because I don’t want to spoil the audience’s enjoyment. But of course you will see characters fighting for their survival, their ideals, their families and the future of the planet. And I think that despite the twists and turns that lie ahead, the series ends with a sense of hope that feels good.

The series is set in both the Middle East, London and Paris. Did you really shoot in France?

We mainly shot in Prague and Abu Dhabi. But I also had a few days of filming in Paris and I loved filming in France. Paris is a great city.

In the series, you can hear your character speaking in French. Did you need to learn a language for Last Light?

I didn’t speak French at all, so yes, I had to learn some concepts of French for the series. It was a real challenge (laughs). Even for a few scenes, it took me a lot longer than I thought to speak French quite clearly (laughs).

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to work with French actors, including Samir Boitar, who were lovely and very helpful. This Last Light experience made me want to really learn your language one day.

You have renewed your role in 2022 The second Downton Abbey movie. Are you surprised by the continued success of this series?

It’s amazing to me that twelve years later I’m still talking about Downton Abbey (laughs). I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to be associated with this series for the rest of my life and to work with this wonderful team and cast.

Do you think the third movie will see the light of day?

I have no idea. It will depend on the public, the success of the film and the desire of Julian Fellowes to continue the adventure. If he comes up with an interesting idea for a third Downton Abbey movie, I’m sure we’ll be all for it.