Warning: Spoilers fromThe Haunting of Bly Manorare discussed in this article.
Every ghost has a backstory; it’s maybe the most important thing about them.
But that’s not the only James story that the new season is riffing on.
EIKE SCHROTER/NETFLIX
Siegel is married toHauntingshowrunnerMike Flanagan, and the two frequently collaborate on his film and TV projects.
How did your role in this episode come about?
Im not the young naive governess, Im not the other governess, Im certainly not Mrs.
Katie Parker and Kate Siegel as sisters Perdita and Viola in ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’.EIKE SCHROTER/NETFLIX
Gross, so there just isnt a part here.
I just want to wear pretty dresses and be warm.
Im not saying thats the reason episode 8 exists, but Im not saying its not!
No, the reality of it is Mike and the writers room had cracked this episode.
He was waiting for something I would enjoy doing and could excel at.
I kind of ground it.
Viewers are going to be interested because Im from season 1 so they know this is something to watch.
Its a bit of a trick to keep people watching episode 8.
How does filming in black-and-white compare to color?
It’s very different, but the performing of it is similar.
It gives it that old creepy feel.
I know we talked a lot about the old, old Nosferatu as the monster that Viola becomes.
It was definitely on the forefront of all our minds, those classic monsters.
What’s it like acting that out instead of using your own dialogue?
You just have to lean into it.
More than I ever have before, I relied on playback.
It’s easy to believe that you and Katie Parker are sisters.
Mike told us that you guys have actually wanted to play sisters for awhile, is that right?
We always wanted to play sisters!
This too comes from weird conversations we have with Mike over dinner: Why cant I just wear dresses?
Why cant Katie be my sister?
To reach out and die in her arms was a unique experience based on our decades of friendship.
Your role onBly Manoris obviously very different from your role onHill House, where you were a main character.
How did your experience of making them compare?
It felt like a gift.
So I really enjoyed it.
But I did miss getting to be a part of the whole cast.
Im such a fan ofBly Manor.
What do you hope people take from it?
I like to think people will identify with Viola more.
I also think its important right now, because horror helps people process trauma.
Its a safe place to be afraid because you know it ends.
This is a particularly excellent show for that.
